Integrated seismic vulnerability assessment for heritage educational buildings in Annaba city: combining probabilistic hazard analysis and structural modeling

Purpose The primary goal of this research is to evaluate the seismic performance of Asla Hocine Primary School, a heritage school building in Annaba, Algeria, to prevent additional damage during future earthquakes in the region. The study aims to guide decision-makers in strengthening weak parts or elements in the building, implementing preventive measures and ultimately reducing earthquake disaster risk by mitigating vulnerability. Design/methodology/approach The research employs the 3Muri software to model the seismic behavior and structural failures of the school’s elements. An integrated multimodal pushover analysis is used to generate the non-linear capacity curve of the school to assess its seismic performance. The seismic demand is determined based on Algerian seismic regulations, with peak ground acceleration derived from a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of Annaba city for return periods of 100, 200 and 500 years. The study develops three seismic scenarios to evaluate performance levels and expected damage probabilities. Findings The study reveals that the Asla Hocine Primary School faces a high risk of damage and potential collapse under the expected seismic hazard of the region. The analysis indicates variable resilience across different seismic return periods (100, 200 and 500 years), with the performance level degrading from life safety to collapse prevention and total collapse under increasing seismic intensity. This underscores the need for targeted structural analysis and potential retrofitting to enhance the building’s seismic robustness. Research limitations/implications The paper encouraged to account for soil-structure interaction in similar studies, as it can significantly affect the overall seismic performance of buildings. Furthermore, conducting out-of-plane analysis when necessary can offer valuable insights into the structural behavior of specific components. Practical implications The insights provided by this study contribute vital data toward conservation efforts and risk mitigation strategies for heritage structures in seismic zones. The findings are intended to guide decision-makers in implementing preventive measures and strengthening weak parts or elements in the studied school building, ultimately reducing earthquake disaster risk by mitigating vulnerability. Originality/value This research offers a comprehensive framework for assessing the seismic vulnerability of heritage schools using detailed modeling and analysis. It highlights the importance of considering return periods of seismic events in assessing a building’s seismic performance and provides a deeper understanding of the structural response to seismic stresses at both macrostructural and individual element levels. The study emphasizes the critical need for seismic risk assessment and targeted retrofitting to preserve cultural heritage assets and ensure their continued use.