Seismic audit of important UPLB [University of the Philippines Los Banos] buildings towards an earthquake resilient campus

The seismic hazard potential brought not only by the West Valley Fault but by other active faults in the region poses an urgent need to conduct a seismic audit of important UPLB buildings. The study summarizes the results of the preliminary seismic audit of academic, administration, and service buildings performed based on a previously conducted seismic risk assessment of 67 out of the total 165 UPLB buildings. However, due to the unavailability of structural plans for some of the buildings, thirteen out of 147 buildings deemed to have medium risk were considered. The buildings were evaluated for a Life Safety performance level except for the UHS Main Building which was evaluated for Immediate Occupancy performance level. Based on the results of the study, most of the audited buildings built before 1977, considered as pre-code buildings, have structural elements that did not pass the required performance level. The two audited buildings built after 1992, considered as benchmark buildings, have passed the required performance level. The two audited buildings built after 1992, considered as benchmark buildings, have passed the required performance level may need retrofit of columns, beams, and foundation. Because of the limitations of the analysis (i.e. assumed material properties not verified by destructive/non-destructive tests, soil type assumed to be Soil Type D for the entire UPLB campus), the buildings with identified deficiencies can be prioritized for financial assessment taking into account the results of material and geotechnical investigations. The results of the seismic audit can be used in the preparation of an earthquake disaster mitigation plan of the university that should be put into place to make campus buildings safe in earthquakes and more resilient to earthquake damage and disruption.