Seismic vulnerability analysis of masonry aggregates using an automated archetype-based procedure

The development of reliable methods for assessing the seismic vulnerability at the urban scale of masonry aggregates could provide helpful guidance for reducing the expected damage and losses. However, the lack of structural data and the presence of many sources of uncertainty complicate the vulnerability analyses and reduce the effectiveness of numerical approaches. In this work, a mechanical-based procedure for the seismic vulnerability assessment, named META-FORMA-XL (MEchanical-Typological Approach FOR Masonry Aggregates-X Local), is proposed. It is based on the automated construction of archetype buildings that are ideal representations of the actual buildings accounting for all the possible uncertainties by exploiting exposure data collected in inventory forms available on urban or suburban scales. The method is applied to a case study concerning the fragility analysis of low-rise masonry aggregates located in Southern Italy. Finally, the procedure is validated by comparing the fragility curves obtained using the archetype-based approach and those evaluated on a real building for which a complete knowledge of the geometrical and mechanical features is available.