Framework for seismic vulnerability assessment of reinforced concrete buildings in Sabah

Sabah is one of the most seismically active states in Malaysia, and has long been renowned as an earthquake hotspot. The goal of this study was to assess the damage potential and develop a map with damage potential grades of structures in Sabah’s even districts: Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Ranau, Kudat, Tawau, Lahad Datu, and Semporna. Furthermore, the vast majority of the structures in Sabah were constructed without consideration for earthquake safety. Consequently, the Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) approach was selected to find potentially damaging concrete structures throughout Sabah, as it has been shown to be useful in assessing building seismic susceptibility. According to the finding, Kota Kinabalu has 137 structures categorised as having a damage hazard of grade 3 to 4 grades majority of buildings in Tawau, Semporna, and Lahad Datu have a Grade 2 damage potential, but some have a Grade 5 damage potential. In the districts of Papar, Ranau and Kudat, a total of 19 structures were identified as vulnerable, with a potential for Grade 3 damage