Skip to main content
Log in

Damage data analysis and vulnerability estimation following the August 14, 2003 Lefkada Island, Greece, Earthquake

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:
Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Earthquake damage data is of vital importance both as an indicator of the likely performance of buildings in future earthquakes, as well as for the calibration of existing theoretical-analytical models regarding building vulnerability. The analysis of damage data collected shortly after the August 14, 2003 Lefkada Island, Greece earthquake revealed the higher vulnerability of masonry buildings vis-à-vis all other building typologies on the island. However, promising means in strengthening the existing masonry stock emerge, when considering the improved performance of buildings of a dual-system of stone-masonry and timber frame – a construction practice uniquely adopted in the island. Based on the parameterless seismic intensity scale (psi) proposed by Spence et al. (1991) a set of preliminary vulnerability curves for the typologies of the island’s buildings are proposed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ambraseys NN (1974) The correlation of intensity with ground motion. In: Proceedings of the fourteenth assembly of the European seismological commission, Trieste, Italy

  • Anagnostopoulos SA (1994) Post-earthquake emergency assessment of building safety, field manual. Patras: European commission directorate general XI, civil protection

  • Applied Technology Council (ATC) (1985) Earthquake damage evaluation for California (ATC-13). Redwood City, California

  • Applied Technology Council (ATC) (1988) Rapid visual screening of buildings for potential seismic hazards: a handbook (ATC-21). Redwood City, California

  • Arnold C (2003) World housing encyclopedia: wood frame single family house USA, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. http://www.world-housing.net/. Accessed 12 Oct 2006

  • Arnold C, Reitherman R (1982) Building configuration and seismic design. Wiley, Chichester, p 437

    Google Scholar 

  • Bommer JJ (2002) Deterministic vs. probabilistic seismic hazard assessment: an exaggerated and obstructive dichotomy. J Earthq Eng 6: 43–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Booth E, Bird J, Spence R (2004) Building vulnerability using pushover methods: a Turkish case-study. In: International workshop on performance based seismic design, Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Centre (PEER), Bled, Slovenia

  • Bornovas J (1964) Geological study of Leukas Island [in Greek]. Institute for Geology and Subsurface Research, Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Bornovas J, Rontoyanni-Tsiambaou T (1983) Geological map of Greece, (Scale 1:500.000). Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Braga F, Dolce M, Liberatore D (1982) A statistical study on damaged buildings and an ensuing review of the M.S.K.-76 scale. In: Proceedings of the seventh European conference on earthquake engineering, Athens, Greece

  • Calvi GM (1999) A displacement-based approach for vulnerability evaluation of classes of buildings. J Earthquake Eng, p 3

  • Calvi GM, Pinho R, Magenes G, Bommer J, Restrepo-Velez LF, Crowley H (2006) Development of seismic vulnerability assessment methodologies over the past 30 years. ISET J Earthq Technol 43(3): 75–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Clement C, Hirn A, Charvis P, Sachpazi M, Marnelis F (2000) Seismic structure and the active Hellenic subduction in the Ionian islands. Tectonophysics 329: 141–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coburn AW, Hughes RE, Nash DF, Spence RJ (1982) Damage assessment and ground motion in the Italian earthquake of 23.11.80. In: Proceedings of the seventh European conference on earthquake engineering, Athens, Greece, pp 101–108

  • Coburn A (1987) Seismic vulnerability and risk reduction strategies for housing in eastern Turkey. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Cambridge

  • Coburn A, Sakai S, Spence RJ, Pomonis A (1990) A parameterless scale of seismic intensity for use in vulnerability assessment. Martin Centre Publication, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Coburn A, Hughes R, Pomonis A, Spence R (1995) Technical principles of building for safety. Intermediate Technology Publications, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Coburn A, Spence R (2002) Earthquake protection. Wiley, West Sussex

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Colombi M, Borzi B, Crowley H, Onida M, Meroni F, Pinho R (2008) Deriving vulnerability curves using Italian earthquake damage data, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, pp 785–504

  • Dandoulaki M, Panoutsopoulou M, Ioannides K (1998) An overview of post-earthquake building inspection practices in Greece and the introduction of a rapid building usability evaluation procedure after the 1996 Konitsa earthquake. In: Proceedings of the eleventh European conference on earthquake engineering, Paris

  • D’Ayala D, Spence R, Oliviera C, Pomonis A (1997) Earthquake loss estimation for Europe’s historic town centre. Earthq Spectra 13: 773–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) (2003) Learning from Earthquakes: Preliminary Observations on the August 14, 2003, Lefkada Island (Western Greece) Earthquake. Oakland, California

  • European Commission for Standardisation (ENV) (1994) Eurocode 5: design of timber structures: part 1-2: general rules. ENV 1995-1-1:1994, Brussels

  • European Committee for Standardisation ;(CEN) (1995) Eurocode 8: design provisions for earthquake resistance of structures part 1-3: general rules—specific rules for various materials and elements, ENV 1998:1-3, Brussels

  • Federal Emergency Management (FEMA), National Institute of Building Science (NIBS) (2003) Development of a standardized earthquake loss estimation methodology, Washington, DC

  • Fountas G (2000) Repair of buildings with earthquake damage [in Greek]. Fountas Books, Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Fournier D’albe EM (1988) The assessment of seismic risk. In: Koridze A (eds) Seismic risk assessment and design of building structures. Omega Scientific, Oxon

    Google Scholar 

  • General Building Regulation (GOK) (1985) Ministry of environment town planning and public works (Y. PE. XO. DE), Governmental Gazette

  • Giovinazzi S, Lagomarsino S (2004) A macroseismic method for the vulberability assessment of buildings. In: Thirteenth world conference on earthquake engineering, Vancouver

  • Grünthal, G (eds) (1998) European macroseismic scale 1998 EMS-98. Conseil de l’Europe, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Gülhan D, Güney IO (2000) The Behaviour of traditional building systems against earthquake and its comparison to reinforced concrete frame systems; experience of Marmara earthquake damage assessment studies in Kocaeli and Sakarya. In: Proceedings of the UNESCO-ICOMOS international conference on the seismic performance of traditional buildings, Istanbul

  • Hill M, Rossetto T (2008) Comparison of building damage scales and damage descriptions for use in earthquake loss modelling in Europe, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, pp 335–365

  • Institute of Engineering Seismology and Earthquake Engineering (ITSAK): (2004) The earthquake of Lefkada (M = 6.2) 14 August 2003. Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Kappos AJ, Stylianidis KC, Michailidis CN, Athanassiadou CJ (1992) Development of earthquake damage scenarios using a comprehensive analytical method. In: Proceedings of the tenth world conference on earthquake engineering, Madrid, pp 6013–6018

  • Kappos AJ, Stylianidis KC, Pitilakis K (1998) Development of seismic risk scenarios based on a hybrid method of vulnerability assessment. Nat Hazards 17: 177–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kappos AJ, Panagopoulos G, Panagiotopoulods C, Penelis G (2006) A hybrid method for the vulnerability assessment of R/C and URM buildings. Bull Earthq Eng 4: 391–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karababa FS (2007) Local seismic construction practices as a means to vulnerability reduction and sustainable development. The case-study of Lefkada Island, Greece, PhD thesis, Cambridge University

  • Karakostas C, Lekidis V, Makarios T, Salonikios T, Sous I, Demosthenous M (2005) Seismic response of structures and infrastructure facilities during the Lefkada, Greece earthquake of 14/8/2003. Eng Struct, pp 213–227

  • Katopodis K (1953) Comments, questions and conclusions [in Greek], Technical Annales

  • Kircher C, Nassar A, Kustu O, Holme WT (1997) Development of building damage functions for earthquake loss estimation. Earthq Spectra 13: 663–682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koukis G, Rontoyanni T, Delibasis N (1990) Surface seismic strike-slip fault motions related to the 1983 Akarnania (Western Greece) earthquakes of small magnitude. Ann Tectonicae IV: 43–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang K, Bachmann H (2004) On the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings: a case study of the city of Basel. Earthq Spectra 20: 43–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee BJ, Chou TY, Hsiao CP, Chung LK, Huang PH, Wu YB (2002) The statistics and analysis of building damage on Chi-Chi earthquake. In: International training programs for seismic design of building structures, Taipei, Taiwan. National Centre for Research on Earthquake Engineering

  • Lekidis VA, Kappos AJ (2004) The Athens Earthquake of 7-9-99: A Vulnerability Assessment in the Earthquake-struck Region and a Comparison with the Actual Damage Distribution of the Structures Caused by the Earthquake, Institute of Technical Seismology and Earthquake-Resistant Structures, Department of Civil Engineering, A.U.Th

  • Louvari E, Kiratzi AA, Papazachos BC (1998) The Cephalonia transform fault and its extension to western Lefkada Island (Greece), Tectonophysics, pp 223–236

  • Margottini C, Molin D, Serva L (1992) Intensity versus ground motion: a new approach using Italian data. Eng Geol 33: 45–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormack C, Rad FN (1997) An earthquake loss estimation methodology for buildings based on ATC-13 and ATC-21. Earthq Spectra 13: 605–621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medvedev SV (1977) Seismic intensity scale M.S.K.-76, Public Institute of Geophysics. Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw

    Google Scholar 

  • Meli R, Alcocer SM (2004) Implementation of structural earthquake-disaster mitigation programs in developing countries. Nat Hazards Rev 5: 29–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy JR, O’brien LJ (1977) The correlation of peak ground acceleration amplitude with seismic intensities and other physical parameters. Bull Seismol Soc Am 67: 877–915

    Google Scholar 

  • Musson RM, Grünthal G, Stucchi M (2010) The comparison of macroseismic intensity scales. J Seismol 14(2): 413–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Archives (1914) Earthquake file: 1469-1957, Document no. 78, 23-11-1914, Archival Centre of Lefkada

  • National Archives (1938) Earthquake file: 1469-1957; The earthquakes of Lefkada and Preveza on 11th and 13th of March 1938, Document no. 85, Archival Centre of Lefkada

  • National Archives (1948), Earthquake file: 1469-1957, Documents no. 86-103, 22-4-1948, Archival Centre of Lefkada

  • National Statistical Service of Greece (NSSG) (2001) Results of plots and building census on December 1 2000, www.statistics.gr. Accessed 10 Feb 2006

  • Orsini G (1999) A model for buildings’ vulnerability assessment using the parameterless scale of seismic intensity (PSI). Earthq Spectra 15: 463–843

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papadatou-Giannopoulou C (1999) Lefkada researching [in Greek]. Achaikes Ekdoseis, Patra

    Google Scholar 

  • Papadopoulos G, Karastathis V, Ganas A, Pavlides S, Fokaefs A, Orfanogiannaki K (2003) The Lefkada, Ionian Sea (Greece), shock (Mw = 6.2) of 14 August 2003: evidence for the characteristic earthquake from seismicity and ground failures. Earth Planet Space 55: 713–718

    Google Scholar 

  • Papagiannis T, Kizilou V, Kalafatis T, Kloutsinioti K, Zekkos K, Faraklas N (1981) Spatial organisation of the prefecture of Lefkada in regards to the existing resources and the perceived trends of development of the settlements system [in Greek]. Anonimos Etaireia Meleton, Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Papathanassiou G, Pavlides S, Ganas A (2005) The 2003 Lefkada earthquake: field observations and preliminary microzonation map based on liquefaction potential index for the town of Lefkada. Eng Geol 82: 12–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papazachos BC, Karakaisis GF, Hatzidimitriou PM (1994) Further information on the transform fault of the Ionian sea. In: Proceeding of the XXIV general assembly of the European seismological commission, Athens, pp 377–384

  • Papazachos BC, Papazachos KB (2003) The Earthquakes of Greece [in Greek]. Ziti, Thessaloniki

    Google Scholar 

  • Papazachos CB, Kiratzi AA (1995) A detailed study of the active crustal deformation in the Aegean and surrounding area. Tectonophysics 253: 129–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pomonis A, Coburn AW, Spence RJ (1992) Strong ground motion and damage to masonry buildings: as revealed by damage surveys near recording instruments. Martin Centre Publication, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomonis A, Spence RJ (1995) Application of earthquake protection measures in the construction of reinforced concrete housing: a pilot study in Greece, Structures to Withstand Disasters. Institution of Civil Engineers, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Pomonis A, Gaspari M (2009) Risk assessment and mitigation, work package 7: report for the seismic and tsunami risk assessment and mitigation scenarios in the Western Hellenic Arc (Seahellarc) Project (6th Framework Programme)

  • Porphyrios DT (1971) Traditional earthquake-resistant construction on a Greek island. J Soc Archit Hist XXX: 31–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossetto T, Elnashai A (2003) Derivation of vulnerability functions for RC buildings based on observational data. Eng Struct 25: 1241–1263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rota M, Penna A, Strobbia CL (2008) Processing Italian damage data to derive typological fragility curves. Soil Dyn Earthquake Eng, pp 933–947

  • Royal Decrees (1959) Royal Decree on the seismic code for building structures [in Greek], Issue A, No. 36, Government’s Gazette, Athens

  • Sachpazi M, Hirn A, Clement C, Haslinger F, Laigle M, Kissling E, Charvis P, Hello Y, Lepine JC, Sapin M, Ansorge J (2000) Western Hellenic subduction and Cephalonia Transform: local earthquakes and plate transport and strain. Tectonophysics, pp 301–319

  • Schwarz J, Raschke M, Maiwald H (2002) Seismic risk studies for central Germany on the basis of the European macroseismic scale EMS-98. In: Twelfth European conference on earthquake engineering, London

  • Scordilis EM, Karakaisis GF, Karakostas BG, Panagiotopoulos DG, Comninakis PE, Papazachos BC (1982) Evidence for transform faulting in the Ionian Sea, The Cephalonia island earthquake sequence of 1983. Pure Appl Geophys 123: 388–397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skarlatoudis AA, Margaris BN, Papazachos CB, Theodoulidis N, Papaioannou C, Kalogeras I, Scordilis EM, Karakostas V (2003) Empirical peak ground motion predictive relations for shallow earthquakes in Greece. Bull Seismol Soc Am 93: 2591–2603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spence R, Coburn AW, Sakai S, Pomonis A (1991) A parameterless scale of seismic intensity for use in the seismic risk analysis and vulnerability assessment. In: International conference on earthquake, blast and impact, Manchester

  • Spence R, D’ayala D (1999) Damage assessment and analysis of the 1997 Umbria-Marche earthquakes. Struct Eng Int 9: 229–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spence R, Coburn A, Pomonis A, So E, Jenkins S, Saito K, Lee V, Tuck H, Furukawa A (2009) Cambridge university earthquake damage database. http://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/EQ. Accessed 12 May 2010

  • Spiropoulos PI (1997) A chronicle of the earthquakes in Greece, Dodon, Athensi [in Greek]

  • Tomazevic M (1999) Earthquake-resistant design of masonry buildings. Imperial College Press, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Touliatos P, Gante D (1995) Local historical antiseismic construction: the example of Lefkada [in Greek]. National Technical University of Athens, Athens

    Google Scholar 

  • Trifunac MD, Brady AG (1975) A study of the duration of strong earthquake ground motion. Bull Seismol Soc Am 65: 581–626

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsakanika E (2005) The application of Eurocode 5 and Eurocode 8 in modern and historical timber structures: general principles of design. Timber as a Structural Material and Its Use In Historic Structures, Corfu, 2 December, Technical Chamber of Corfu, Architectural Association of Corfu

  • United States Geological Survey (USGS) (2003) Shake Maps, http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/atlas/shake/200308140514

  • Ventura CE, Finn WD, Onur T, Blanquera A, Rezai M (2005) Regional seismic risk in British Columbia- classification of buildings and development of damage probability functions. Can J Civil Eng 32: 372–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wald DJ, Quitoriano V, Heaton TH, Kanamori H (1999) Relationships between peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity, and modified mercalli intensity in California. Earthq Spectra 15: 557–664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitman RV, Reed JW, Hong ST (1973) Earthquake damage probability matrices. In: Proceedings of the fifth world conference on earthquake engineering, Rome, pp 1067–1084

  • Yamaguchi N, Yamazaki F (2000) Fragility curves for buildings in Japan based on damage surveys after the 1995 Kobe earthquake, Paper Number 245. In: Twelfth world conference on earthquake engineering, Auckland, New-Zealand

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Faye S. Karababa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Karababa, F.S., Pomonis, A. Damage data analysis and vulnerability estimation following the August 14, 2003 Lefkada Island, Greece, Earthquake. Bull Earthquake Eng 9, 1015–1046 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-010-9231-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-010-9231-5

Keywords

Navigation