Earthquake response of a historical castle

Abstract EN

The earthquake hazard potential in the Sultanate of Oman is considered real as there are several reports of felt earthquakes in the Sultanate of Oman during the period from years 977 to 1998, although no damage to the existing structures has been reported due to earthquakes.

In Oman, seismic zoning map and other basic data are required for the development of a standard code for seismic design of structures.

In this paper, seismic response of a historical Nizwa castle in Oman is assessed employing the methodology of Uniform Building Code (UBC, 1994).

Also, in the absence of data pertaining to the seismic zone factor and the site coefficient, the seismic response study is carried out by assuming appropriate values of these parameters.

The results of such investigation are presented in this paper.

The results show that some retrofitting measures have to be undertaken in order that the existing historical building may survive in a possible damaging earthquake.