An automated system for assessing the seismic resistance of buildings and structures using regulatory documents

Abstract

This paper proposes an automated system that compares building information with applicable construction requirements. The aim is to make preliminary seismic assessment easier to understand, repeat and review. The method combines a digital building record, an approved list of regulatory rules, engineering calculations and a report that identifies the source of each result. Every applicable check has one of three outcomes: pass, fail or not checked because evidence is insufficient. Four equations describe the demand-to-capacity ratio, storey drift, assessment coverage and the pass rate of completed checks. A synthetic example contains five checks: two pass, one fails and two remain unresolved. Coverage is therefore 60%, while the pass rate is 66.7%. These percentages describe the checklist, not the probability of surviving an earthquake. The main contribution is a transparent decision process that keeps confirmed deficiencies separate from missing evidence. The example demonstrates the method; field validation and a qualified engineer's final assessment are still required.