Typological study and statistical assessment of parameters influencing earthquake vulnerability of commercial RCFMI buildings in New Zealand

Reinforced concrete frame with masonry infill (RCFMI) buildings comprise a significant proportion of commercial buildings constructed prior to the adoption of New Zealand's modern seismic design codes in 1976. The characteristics and seismic performance of RCFMI buildings have not been previously investigated at a national level. As part of the study reported herein, efforts were made to identify and document building characteristics, including building address, infill type (clay-brick or concrete-block masonry infill), wall morphology (cavity or solid wall), geometry (building footprint and height), building continuity, and age of construction. During sidewalk surveys the characteristics of 203 and 55 RCFMI buildings were observed and well documented in the Auckland and Dunedin regions, respectively. The surveyed RCFMI buildings were assigned to one of four typologies according to infill type and wall morphology. In addition to cataloguing the national stock of RCFMI buildings and investigating their characteristics, the study outlined herein was designed to provide a forecast of the earthquake vulnerability of existing commercial RCFMI buildings in New Zealand in an effort to quantify the cumulative earthquake risk.