Estimation of Earthquake Losses to Buildings

This paper describes methods for estimating building losses that were developed for the FEMA/NIBS earthquake loss estimation methodology (Whitman et al., 1997). These methods are of a new form and represent a significant step forward in the prediction of earthquake impacts. Unlike previous building loss models that are based on Modified Mercalli Intensity, the new methods use quantitative measures of ground shaking (and ground failure) and analyze model building types in a similar manner to the engineering analysis of a single structure. Direct economic losses predicted by these new methods for typical single-family homes compare well with observed losses to Los Angeles County residences damaged by the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.