A methodology based on the Italian vulnerability index is developed to simulate the seismic damage of the buildings of urban areas. The most important structural typologies existing in such an area are considered in this study, namely unreinforced masonry - typical for the old buildings - and reinforced concrete buildings - usual in the new designs. The proposed methodology takes advantage of the results of the post-earthquake damage survey study performed in Southern Spain after the 1993-1994 earthquakes. It has been developed in a probabilistic frame, the Monte Carlo method being used to simulate damage probability matrices, fragility curves and vulnerability functions, all of which are the basis of any seismic risk study. As an example, probable damage scenarios were developed for a central zone of Barcelona (Spain), the Eixample.

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