Applicability of the PTVA-4 model to evaluate the structural vulnerability of hospitals in Sri Lanka against tsunami

Harisuthan, S; Hasalanka, H; Kularatne, D and Siriwardana, C (2020) Applicability of the PTVA-4 model to evaluate the structural vulnerability of hospitals in Sri Lanka against tsunami. International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, 11(5), pp. 581-596. ISSN 1759-5916

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the specific parameters in developing a framework to assess the structural vulnerability of hospital buildings in Sri Lanka against tsunami. Along with that, the adaptability and suitability of the existing global frameworks in the Sri Lankan context are to be assessed. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, Papathoma tsunami vulnerability assessment (PTVA)-4 model was used as the base in developing the abovementioned framework. Its adaptability and suitability in assessing hospital buildings in the country were considered under the case studies conducted in six selected hospitals in the Southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka. Under these case studies, data collection was done using the Rapid Visual Screening method where assessments were carried out through visual observations. The collected data were analyzed according to the aforementioned model for its suitability in evaluating the structural vulnerability of hospitals in Sri Lanka, against tsunami hazard. Findings: From these case studies, it was identified that the use of the PTVA-4 model alone was insufficient to assess the structural vulnerability of the hospital buildings against the tsunami. Therefore, the model must be further improved with more relevant assessing attributes related to hospitals, suitable for the Sri Lankan context. Originality/value: This paper identifies the specific structural assessment parameters required in assessing hospitals in the coastal belt of Sri Lanka, considering tsunami as the main hazard condition.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: coastal region; hospital safety; hospitals; rapid visual screening; structural vulnerability; tsunami
Index terms: suitability, methodology, adaptability, vulnerability, screening, case study, structural vulnerability, Sri Lanka, tsunami
Subjects: user focus, data collection methods, risk management, research methods, management, Geography, environmental hazards, design criteria
Topics: Design Practice, Human Resources, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Sustainability
Descriptive scope: 4 PCTE

N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here