Seismic vulnerability analysis to determine the status of single-family homes in the Atalaya Human Settlement, Huacho District, 2023

Abstract

In Huacho, the city's continuous growth has reduced the availability of land for new housing, leading many families—both local and migrant—to settle in peripheral areas. These areas often lack proper evaluations to determine whether they are suitable for building, which increases the seismic vulnerability of the region. Objective: To determine the level of vulnerability of single-family homes in the Atalaya Human Settlement, district of Huacho, and to identify how vulnerable these dwellings are to seismic hazards. Methods: This study followed a basic methodology with a quantitative approach and a non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional design. A sample of 85 single-family homes was assessed to understand their characteristics in the Atalaya settlement. Results: Findings show that 50% of the homes present a very high level of vulnerability; 23.26% a high level; 18.60% a moderate level; and 8.14% a low level of vulnerability. Conclusion: The predominant construction material used is adobe, which is highly vulnerable due to the absence of a proper structural system, thereby increasing the seismic vulnerability of the homes. The area's soil is mostly rocky with some clayey portions, as the settlement is located on a hillside.