About the author:

1. Shaanxi Architecture Science Research Institute Co.,Ltd., Xi’an,Shaanxi 710082, China;2. Shaanxi Construction Engineering Quality Testing Center Co.,Ltd., Xi’an,Shaanxi 710082, China

Abstract:

Dingri County in Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region, is located in the Himalayan seismiczone with frequent earthquake activity. The seismic performance of public buildings is crucial for ensuringpersonnel safety and post-disaster functional recovery. Following the 2025 Dingri MS 6.8 earthquake, aresearch team conducted a earthquake damage investigation on 52 public buildings （ 34 masonrystructures and 18 frame structures） in the earthquake-affected area. By integrating field data andanalysis, the study revealed the earthquake damage characteristics of public buildings in high-altituderegions. The results show that the buildings designed according to current codes perform well,with nocollapses and most sustaining minor damage,validating the seismic fortification objective of “no collapseunder minor earthquakes, repairable damage under moderate earthquakes, and life safety under majorearthquakes.” Masonry structures primarily exhibited wall cracking and parapet collapse,while framestructures suffered mainly non-structural component damage, including infill wall cracks, stairwelldamage, and ceiling or plaster layer failures. The study highlights that the high-altitude environmentsignificantly impacts material properties and construction quality,with the issues such as brick sizedeviations, insufficient mortar filling, and inadequate structural detailing markedly reducing seismiccapacity. Based on the findings, the recommendations include refining local standards for high-altituderegions, enhancing seismic checks for non-structural components, promoting seismic isolation and energy dissipation technologies, and conducting regular safety inspections of existing buildings to improve thesafety and functional resilience of public buildings in plateau areas.