seismic vulnerability of existing buildings

This thesis addresses the earthquake phenomenon and its predicaments that can cause a catastrophic incident, and our means for these predicaments reach the buildings. The thesis first goes for the originality of this phenomenon and classifies its roots based on its nature and human induced actions that may help to its occurrence. After a comprehensive recognition of this matter, it is time for finding an illuminated knowledge about our vulnerability to the earthquake. There are several types of vulnerabilities in the base of various types of structures about this phenomenon and the thesis specified its concentration on the current hazards which reach the buildings, and all warned cases that can be result into the damage are complied. After reaching a clear view of our buildings’ weaken points, the thesis goes for demonstrating all strong and practical strategies for strengthening and retrofitting the buildings against those existing weaknesses. At the end, by investigation a real case study as an abandoned residential house which should be renovated for its new functionality, our study based on its previous collected theorical research could testify the applicable strategies for reaching the optimum seismic resistance for our case in comparison with its past built condition.