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
ISSN: 1759-5908
Article publication date: 23 April 2020
Issue publication date: 7 October 2020
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.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank officials of the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division (DPRD) of the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka for making arrangements in granting access to the hospitals; and all the Directors, Deputy Directors and staff of all six hospitals for their support during the field survey. The authors would also like to acknowledge the project HEARTS-SL team, led by Prof Tiziana Rossetto from University College, London (UCL) and Prof Priyan Dias at the University of Moratuwa; also the funding for the project was received under the Global Challenges Research Fund through UCL.
Citation
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, Vol. 11 No. 5, pp. 581-596. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-01-2020-0001
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited