Seismic fragility of base-isolated water storage tanks under non-stationary earthquakes

Seismic fragility curves for fixed-base and base-isolated liquid storage tanks are developed under non-stationary earthquakes, and their seismic performance are compared. The correlation between different earthquake intensity measure (IM) parameters and peak response quantities of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks are investigated. The failure criteria are chosen based on (1) the elastic buckling strength of the tank wall, which is defined in terms of critical base shear and critical overturning moment, and (2) in terms of the critical isolation displacement. The uncertainty involved is considered in the earthquake characteristics. Non-stationary earthquake ground motions are generated using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Influence of the isolator characteristic parameters and modeling approaches on the seismic fragility of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks is also investigated. Peak ground acceleration is found to be the well correlated IM parameter with the peak response quantities of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks. Substantial decrease in the seismic fragility of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks is observed as compared to the fixed-base tanks. Significant influence of the isolator characteristic parameters on the seismic fragility of the base-isolated liquid storage tanks are reported in the present study.     

Seismic isolation of rigid cylindrical tanks using friction pendulum bearings

Storage tanks are vulnerable to earthquakes, as numerous major earthquakes have demonstrated. The trend of recent revisions to make seismic design criteria for large‐scale industrial storage tanks increasingly stringent has made development of cost‐effective earthquake‐resistant design and retrofit techniques for industrial tanks imperative. This study assesses the feasibility of seismic base isolation for making liquid‐filled storage tanks earthquake resistant. The sliding‐type friction pendulum seismic (FPS) bearings are considered rather than the elastomeric bearings because the dynamic characteristics of an FPS‐isolated tank remain unchanged regardless of the storage level. This work has devised a hybrid structural‐hydrodynamic model and solution algorithm, which would permit simple, accurate and efficient assessment of the seismic response of rigid cylindrical storage tanks in the context of seismic isolation. Extensive numerical simulations confirm the effectiveness of seismic base isolation of rigid cylindrical tanks using FPS bearings. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

竖向地震作用对储液罐地震响应的影响分析

地震作用下大型储液罐的安全问题日益引起重视。基于ANSYS软件建立储罐液体耦合有限元模型,考虑罐底非线性接触效应,以El-Centro南北向和竖直向记录地震波为输入,研究水平激励以及水平和竖向同时激励两种工况下储罐的动力响应。研究结果表明,两种工况下靠近罐底1.2m处均发生了"象足"变形,竖向激励下水平相对位移增加了14%。竖向激励使得罐壁环向应力和轴向压应力均有不同程度的增加。竖向地震激励对液面的竖向晃动影响较小。储液罐底板在地震作用下发生了竖向提离和永久滑移,竖向激励时增长幅度均在10%左右。同时罐体基底剪力在竖向地震作用下也有所增大。储罐抗震设计时应考虑竖向地震分量的影响,研究结论可为立式储罐的抗震设计提供一定的参考和依据。     

Seismic risk assessment of liquid storage tanks via a nonlinear surrogate model

A performance‐based earthquake engineering approach is developed for the seismic risk assessment of fixed‐roof atmospheric steel liquid storage tanks. The proposed method is based on a surrogate single‐mass model that consists of elastic beam‐column elements and nonlinear springs. Appropriate component and system‐level damage states are defined, following the identification of commonly observed modes of failure that may occur during an earthquake. Incremental dynamic analysis and simplified cloud are offered as potential approaches to derive the distribution of response parameters given the seismic intensity. A parametric investigation that engages the aforementioned analysis methods is conducted on 3 tanks of varying geometry, considering both anchored and unanchored support conditions. Special attention is paid to the elephant's foot buckling formation, by offering extensive information on its capacity and demand representation within the seismic risk assessment process. Seismic fragility curves are initially extracted for the component‐level damage states, to compare the effect of each analysis approach on the estimated performance. The subsequent generation of system‐level fragility curves reveals the issue of nonsequential damage states, whereby significant damage may abruptly appear without precursory lighter damage states.     

基于阻尼器反力墙体系的特大型LNG储罐控制研究

特大型液化天然气（LNG）储罐的固有频率通常介于2~10 Hz之间,处于大部分地震运动的频率范围之内。在过去的几十年中,许多事故已经证明,储罐在地震作用下很容易遭破坏。使用隔震支座来减少储罐的地震作用已经被证明是非常有效的,但对于特大型LNG储罐,其连接组件对隔震层层间位移有严格限制,尤其是在软土场地中,桩水平抗力与隔震层位移是一对矛盾,普通隔震系统会在隔震层产生较大位移,导致特大型LNG储罐连接组件的设计非常困难。因此提出了一种由环形阻尼器反力墙、粘滞阻尼器以及安装于基桩顶端的隔震支座组成的新型隔震系统,反力墙独立设置于地基中,不与桩基连接,罐底的部分剪力直接向反力墙传递。以容量为16万m3的特大型LNG储罐为例,建立多自由度集中质量简化模型,以层间位移、桩基剪力作为性能指标进行了评价分析。结果显示,新型隔震系统对特大型LNG储罐隔震层位移及桩基剪力的控制非常有效。     

基底隔震储罐频率特征与减震机理分析研究

研究不同高径比橡胶基底隔震储罐的频率特征,探讨储罐隔震体系3种不同振动频率随支座隔震频率变化规律.分析在不同频谱特性地震波激励下,隔震体系各振型组分对地震响应(基底剪力、支座位移和晃动波高)的影响,以及响应峰值随支座隔震频率和阻尼比的变化特点.研究表明,基底剪力峰值与场地地震波频谱特性密切相关.支座隔震频率不能完全反映减震机理的实质,隔震振型频率是影响基底剪力的重要参数.在软弱场地上隔震储罐的减震效率低,有效隔震频率范围窄.晃动波高峰值是储罐自振特性和地震波频谱特性等多种因素导致的结果,隔震系统设计时需特别考虑晃动波高增大的影响.     

液压阻尼系统控制浮放立式储罐提离失稳

立式圆柱储罐在油田、石油化工等企业用途广泛，多用作存贮易燃、易爆介质，一旦遭遇震害，后果将十分严重。本文针对浮放立式储罐地震响应的提离失稳问题，采用液压阻尼系统（HDS）用以控制储罐的提离反应，建立了安装HDS储罐的力学分析模型并进行了数值计算，对安装HDS后储罐的提离反应进行了分析。仿真计算结果表明：HDS可以有效地减小提离应力，从而地震烈度可以降低1度进行储罐的提离设计。     

Seismic analysis of a LNG storage tank isolated by a multiple friction pendulum system

The seismic response of an isolated vertical, cylindrical, extra-large liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) tank by a multiple friction pendulum system (MFPS) is analyzed. Most of the extra-large LNG tanks have a fundamental frequency which involves a range of resonance of most earthquake ground motions. It is an effective way to decrease the response of an isolation system used for extra-large LNG storage tanks under a strong earthquake. However, it is diff icult to implement in practice with common isolation bearings due to issues such as low temperature, soft site and other severe environment factors. The extra-large LNG tank isolated by a MFPS is presented in this study to address these problems. A MFPS is appropriate for large displacements induced by earthquakes with long predominant periods. A simplifi ed fi nite element model by Malhotra and Dunkerley is used to determine the usefulness of the isolation system. Data reported and statistically sorted include pile shear, wave height, impulsive acceleration, convective acceleration and outer tank acceleration. The results show that the isolation system has excellent adaptability for different liquid levels and is very effective in controlling the seismic response of extra-large LNG tanks.     

罕遇地震下村镇建筑复合隔震系统的地震响应特征及设计参数

为研究罕遇地震下复合隔震村镇建筑的地震响应特征及设计参数,采用ABAQUS有限元软件建立了复合隔震结构、滑移隔震结构、砂垫层隔震结构以及传统的砌体结构四种模型,通过对比4种模型在不同滑移层摩擦系数及不同地震烈度下的加速度、位移及底部剪力等动力响应差异,得出复合隔震体系的地震响应特征及主要设计参数。结果表明:复合隔震体系具有最优的隔震效果,且滑移层摩擦系数越小,地震烈度越大,隔震效果越好。根据预设40%隔震率的要求,确定出不同抗震设防烈度区的滑移层摩擦系数取值范围。     

Parametric analysis of liquid storage tanks base isolated by curved surface sliding bearings

Curved surface sliding bearings, which are usually called as friction pendulum system (FPS) are commonly used for base isolation of liquid storage tanks since the period of the isolation system is independent of the storage level. However the restoring force and the damping at the isolation system are functions of axial load which changes during an earthquake excitation. This change might be in appreciable amounts especially for the tanks with high aspect ratios. The present paper focuses on earthquake performances of both broad and slender tanks base isolated by FPS bearings. The effects of overturning moment and vertical acceleration on axial load variation at the bearings are considered. The efficiency of the isolation system is investigated by analyzing the effects of various parameters such as; (i) isolation period, (ii) tank aspect ratio and (iii) coefficient of friction. The Haroun and Housner's three-degrees-of-freedom lumped mass model was used to solve the governing equations of motion in which convective, impulsive and rigid masses were included. A number of selected ground motions were considered and the results were compared to those of non-isolated cases.As a result, base isolation was found to be effective in reducing the base shear values for both broad and slender tanks without significantly affecting the sloshing displacements of the broad ones. The efficiency was even more pronounced for slender tanks subjected to near fault ground motions for isolation periods above 3 s. This specific value of isolation period also eliminated possible design problems arising from under-estimation of base shear values (up to 40%) due to ignoring the effects of axial load variation in lower isolation periods. Overturning effects should not be ignored especially for tanks with high aspect ratios (S) and being subjected to near fault ground motion.     

Shake-table tests and numerical simulation of an innovative isolation system for highway bridges

Damage investigation of small to medium-span highway bridges in Wenchuan earthquake revealed that typical damage of these bridges included: sliding between laminated-rubber bearings and bridge girders, concrete shear keys failure, excessive girder displacements and even span collapse. However, the bearing sliding could actually act as a seismic isolation for piers, and hence, damage to piers for these bridges was minor during the earthquake. Based on this concept, an innovative solation system for highway bridges with laminated-rubber bearings is developed. The system is comprised of typical laminated-rubber bearings and steel dampers. Bearing sliding is allowed during an earthquake to limit the seismic forces transmitting to piers, and steel dampers are applied to restrict the bearing displacements through hysteretic energy dissipation. As a major part of this research, a quarter-scale, two-span bridge model was constructed and tested on the shake tables to evaluate the performance of this isolation system. The bridge model was subjected to a Northridge and an artificial ground motion in transverse direction. Moreover, numerical analyses were conducted to investigate the seismic performance of the bridge model. Besides the test bridge model, a benchmark model with the superstructure fixed to the substructure in transverse direction was also included in the numerical analyses. Both the experimental and the numerical results showed high effectiveness of this proposed isolation system in the bridge model. The system was found to effectively control the pier-girder relative displacements, and simultaneously, protect the piers from severe damage. Numerical analyses also validated that the existing finite element methods are adequate to estimate the seismic response of bridges with this isolation system.     

On the seismic behavior of cylindrical base-isolated liquid storage tanks excited by long-period ground motions

A common effective method to reduce the seismic response of liquid storage tanks is to isolate them at base using base-isolation systems. It has been observed that in many earthquakes, the foregoing systems significantly affect on the whole system response reduction. However, in exceptional cases of excitation by long-period shaking, the base-isolation systems could have adverse effects. Such earthquakes could cause tank damage due to excessive liquid sloshing. Therefore, the numerical seismic response of liquid storage tanks isolated by bilinear hysteretic bearing elements is investigated under long-period ground motions in this research. For this purpose, finite shell elements for the tank structure and boundary elements for the liquid region are employed. Subsequently, fluid–structure equations of motion are coupled with governing equation of base-isolation system, to represent the whole system behavior. The governing equations of motion of the whole system are solved by an iterative and step-by-step algorithm to evaluate the response of the whole system to the horizontal component of three ground motions. The variations of seismic shear forces, liquid sloshing heights, and tank wall radial displacements are plotted under various system parameters such as the tank geometry aspect ratio (height to radius), and the flexibility of the isolation system, to critically examine the effects of various system parameters on the effectiveness of the base-isolation systems against long-period ground motions. From these analyses, it may be concluded that with the installation of this type of base-isolation system in liquid tanks, the dynamic response of tanks during seismic ground motions can be considerably reduced. Moreover, in the special case of long-period ground motions, the seismic response of base-isolated tanks may be controlled by the isolation system only at particular conditions of slender and broad tanks. For the case of medium tanks, remarkable attentions would be required to be devoted to the design of base-isolation systems expected to experience long-period ground motions.     

Seismic fragility of structures isolated by single concave sliding devices for different soil conditions

This study deals with the seismic fragility of elastic structural systems equipped with single concave sliding (friction pendulum system (FPS)) isolators considering different soil conditions. The behavior of these systems is analyzed by employing a two-degree-of-freedom model, whereas the FPS response is described by means of a velocity-dependent model. The uncertainty in the seismic inputs is taken into account by considering artificial seismic excitations modelled as timemodulated filtered Gaussian white noise random processes of different intensity within the power spectral density method. In particular, the filter parameters, which control the frequency content of the random excitations, are calibrated to describe stiff, medium and soft soil conditions. The sliding friction coefficient at large velocity is also considered as a random variable modelled through a uniform probability density function. Incremental dynamic analyses are developed in order to evaluate the probabilities of exceeding different limit states related to both the reinforced concrete (RC) superstructure and isolation level, defining the seismic fragility curves within an extensive parametric study carried out for different structural system properties and soil conditions. The abovementioned seismic fragility curves are useful to evaluate the seismic reliability of base-isolated elastic systems equipped with FPS and located in any site for any soil condition.     

Seismic response of sliding equipment and contents in base‐isolated buildings subjected to broadband ground motions

Base isolation has been established as the seismic design approach of choice when it comes to protecting nonstructural contents. However, while this protection technology has been widely shown to reduce seismic demands on attached oscillatory equipment and contents (EC), its effectiveness in controlling the response of freestanding EC that are prone to sliding has not been investigated. This study examines the seismic behavior of sliding EC inside base‐isolated buildings subjected to broadband ground motions. The effect of isolation system properties on the response of sliding EC with various friction coefficients is examined. Two widely used isolation models are considered: viscously damped linear elastic and bilinear. The study finds isolation to be generally effective in reducing seismic demands on sliding EC, but it also exposes certain situations where isolation in fact increases demands on EC, most notably for low friction coefficients and high earthquake intensities. Damping at the isolation level is effective in controlling the EC sliding displacements, although damping over about 20% is found to be superfluous. The study identifies a physically motivated dimensionless intensity measure and engineering demand parameter for sliding equipment in base‐isolated buildings subjected to broadband ground motions. Finally, the paper presents easy‐to‐use design fragility curves and an example that illustrates how to use them. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks considering fluid–structure–soil interaction in time domain

The seismic response analysis of a base-isolated liquid storage tank on a half-space was examined using a coupling method that combines the finite elements and boundary elements. The coupled dynamic system that considers the base isolation system and soil–structure interaction effect is formulated in time domain to evaluate accurately the seismic response of a liquid storage tank. Finite elements for a structure and boundary elements for liquid are coupled using equilibrium and compatibility conditions. The base isolation system is modeled using the biaxial hysteretic element. The homogeneous half-space is idealized using the simple spring-dashpot model with frequency-independent coefficients. Some numerical examples are presented to demonstrate accuracy and applicability of the developed method.Consequently, a general numerical algorithm that can analyze the dynamic response of base-isolated liquid storage tanks on homogeneous half-space is developed in three-dimensional coordinates and dynamic response analysis is performed in time domain.     

Numerical investigation on seismic performance of a shallow buried underground structure with isolation devices

A design procedure for improving the seismic performance of unequal-span underground structures by installing isolation devices at the top end of columns is proposed based on the seismic failure mode of frame-type underground structures and the design concept of critical support columns. A two-dimensional finite element model (FEM) for a soil-underground structure with an unequal-span interaction system was established to shed light on the effects of a complex subway station with elastic sliding bearings (ESB) and lead rubber bearings (LRB) on seismic mitigation. It was found that the stiffness and internal force distribution of the underground structure changed remarkably with the installation of isolation devices at the top end of the columns. The constraints of the beam-column joints were significantly weakened, resulting in a decrease in the overall lateral stiffness and an increase in the structural lateral displacement. The introduction of the isolation device effectively reduces the internal force and seismic damage of the frame column; however, the tensile damage to the isolation structure, such as the roof, bottom plate, and sidewall, significantly increased compared to those of the non-isolation structure. Although the relative slip of the ESB remains within a controllable range under strong earthquake excitation as well as frame columns with stable vertical support and self-restoration functions, the LRB shows a better performance during seismic failure and better lateral displacement response of the unequal-span underground structure. The analysis results provide new ideas and references for promoting the application of seismic isolation technology in underground structures.     

新型滑移隔震结构模型的振动台试验研究

利用实体软钢棒作为消能限位装置,将一种摩擦性能优良的二硫化钼材料作为隔震支座的滑移材料,提出并制作了一种可以应用于框架结构既能隔震又可以消能的新型摩擦滑移隔震装置。探讨了其设计方法和应用方法,并对安装了该新型摩擦滑移隔震装置的一相似比为1:5的5层框架结构模型进行了振动台试验,测试了框架结构在单向地震波作用下的地震反应规律,分析了摩擦滑移隔震结构的加速度反应、层间剪力反应、隔震层滑移量及隔震层剪力的变化规律。结果表明:一般情况下当设防烈度为8度,Ⅱ类场地时,该隔震结构的加速度响应可降低50%左右,层间剪力响应可降低50%左右,减震效果比较明显。另外,只要确定合理的构造方案和实施方案,这种新型摩擦滑移隔震装置就能满足框架结构的隔震减震要求,可应用于实际工程结构中。     

Seismic assessment and retrofit of two heritage-listed R/C elevated water storage tanks

A seismic assessment and advanced retrofit study on two heritage-listed reinforced concrete (R/C) elevated water storage tanks is presented in this paper. The two structures were built between the late 1920s and the early 1930s as water suppliers for a coal power plant in Santa Maria Novella Station in Florence, and are still in service. The first, taller tank has a R/C frame supporting structure and is currently used as water supplier for trains and platform services. The second, shorter tank, with a shaft-shell supporting structure, is used as water tower for the Station. The dynamic behaviour of the fluid is simulated by means of a classical convective and impulsive mass model, for which a discrete three-dimensional schematization is originally implemented in the finite element analysis. The time–history assessment enquiry highlights numerical collapse of the frame structure in the taller tank, and unsafe tensile stress states in a large portion of the shaft structure of the shorter one, under seismic action scaled at the maximum considered earthquake level. Based on these results, two retrofit hypotheses are proposed, and namely a dissipative bracing system incorporating pressurized fluid viscous spring-dampers, for the taller tank, and a base isolation system including double curved surface sliders, for the shorter one. The mechanical parameters, design criteria and technical implementation details of the two rehabilitation strategies are illustrated. The verification time–history analyses in protected conditions show that a substantial enhancement of the seismic response capacities of both structures is attained as compared to their original configurations, with little architectural intrusion, quick installation works and competitive costs.     

立式钢制储罐基于地震损伤性能的抗震设计方法

针对立式钢制储罐在强烈地震作用下会产生不同程度的损伤的特点，遵循抗震设计规范的“小震不坏，中震可修，大震不倒”的抗震设计原则，结合三水准烈度，提出了储罐的地震损伤性能目标，并给出了基于地震损伤性能的抗震设计方法。所提出抗震设计方法，更加准确地考虑了储罐的提离问题。     

板式支座与铅芯支座连续梁桥振动台试验对比分析

通过对分别采用板式支座和铅芯支座的2座3跨连续梁桥模型进行振动台试验,对比分析了这2类桥梁的动力特性、破坏过程及2种支座对连续梁桥地震反应的影响。研究结果表明：地震波特性对桥梁结构的地震反应有较大影响,在对桥梁结构进行抗震设计时,需选择合理的地震动输入;在地震强度较小时,板式支座的滑动能够起到一定的隔震效果,铅芯支座的隔震性能能得到较好的发挥;在地震强度较大时,铅芯支座的隔震性能不能得到很好的发挥,采用铅芯支座的桥梁地震反应不一定小于普通桥梁;通过合理的设计,2类桥梁都完全可以实现大震不倒的设防目标。