Application of Spatially Correlated and Coherent Records of Scenario Event to Estimate Seismic Loss of a Portfolio of Buildings

This study extends the stochastic finite-fault model (SFFM) to simulate spatially correlated and coherent records for a scenario seismic event and estimates the seismic loss of spatially distributed buildings using the simulated records. The extension incorporates the spatial coherency and the spatially correlated disturbance. The simulated records are used to evaluate nonlinear inelastic responses of buildings modeled as nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom systems and to estimate their aggregate seismic loss. Use of the simulated records in such a manner is advantageous since it is applicable to buildings modeled as single- or multi-degree-of-freedom systems with different hysteretic behaviors. The procedure is used to investigate the sensitivity of the seismic loss of a portfolio of hypothetical buildings in downtown Vancouver subjected to a scenario event. The results show that the probability distribution and the quantile of the seismic loss are influenced significantly by the degree of spatial correlation and by nonlinear inelastic behavior.