Fatality rates implied by the Italian building code

Abstract The project Rischio Implicito – Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni (RINTC) assessed the seismic structural reliability, in terms of annual rate earthquakes causing failure, a large set code‐conforming buildings, designed to be located three different sites, representative low, mid, and high hazard Italy. It was found that reliability tends decrease significantly as site's increases, despite design actions having same return period at all sites. Because this is consequence code's approach, simple study presented paper aims contribute discussion on whether code‐implied safety yet acceptable. To end, fatality rates due failure buildings from mentioned are computed, simplified manner, compared with risk other common causes death Italy; latter obtained based data Italian Statistical Institute. results, although subjected conventionality working assumptions, seem indicate generally lower than death, by one or more orders magnitude This can characteristics code state‐of‐the‐art codes internationally.