A Database for Seismic Retrofit Construction Cost of Concrete and Steel Framed Schools in Iran

Seismic retrofitting of existing structures is a key issue in any earthquake-prone region when considering the extensive damage and severe economic loss caused by previous strong ground motions (Nuti and Vanzi, 2003). Promoting and enhancing building owners' decisions to adopt earthquake risk preparedness measures are essential activities to reduce fatalities, damage to properties, and economic and social disruption in a seismic disaster (Egbelakin et al., 2011). A report published by the California Seismic Safety Commission (1999) emphasized how seismic retrofit programs can greatly abate the potential devastating effects of earthquakes. Nevertheless, requiring improvements in a community's existing building stock is a difficult public policy decision, requiring careful engineering and economic analysis along with societal considerations (United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), 2007). People in geographic regions subject to seismic hazards are frequently faced with the decision of whether or not to retrofit existing structures in order to lower their potential losses due to earthquakes. The cost of seismic retrofit is one of the key factors having a crucial role in making such a decision (FEMA 227, 1992). The database presented herein is a response to the need for a greater amount of reliable data when developing cost estimation models. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, a meticulous data collection effort in Iran led to the development of a large cost database comprised of information from 158 seismic retrofit projects. Each project pertained to a particular earthquake-prone public school building having a framed structure constructed of either reinforced concrete or structural steel. The comprehensive and reliability of the database is well described elsewhere that readers are encouraged to refer to for detailed information (e.g., Jafarzadeh, 2012).