Fragility of reinforced concrete framed structures to flow-type landslides

Flow-type landslides are typically triggered by heavy rainfalls and may cause large losses. Landslide risk may be rationally evaluated and mitigated with probabilistic approaches. In this paper, physical vulnerability of reinforced concrete buildings to landslides is assessed. Fragility analysis was carried out by assuming flow velocity as intensity measure, several damage states, and different mechanical models for beams, columns and masonry infill walls. Uncertainties in landslide impact loading, material properties, members geometry, and capacity models were taken into account. Both earthquake-resistant and gravity-load designed buildings were assessed as being representative of two low-rise building subclasses. Analysis results show that landslide fragility significantly depends on the presence and type of infill walls, which influence both out-of-plane and in-plane failure modes as well as yielding and failure of plastic hinges in columns