Seismic fragility of plasterboard partitions via in‐plane quasi‐static tests

The seismic damage of internal partitions may cause significant earthquake loss; this phenomenon is caused by (a) their tendency to exhibit damage for low demand levels and (b) the consequent loss of inventory and breakdown that their collapse can cause. Quasi‐static tests are performed on six 5‐m‐high plasterboard internal partitions, which represent typical partitions in industrial and commercial buildings in the European area. A steel test setup is designed to transfer the load, which is provided by the actuator, to the partition. The testing protocol provided by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 461 is adopted for the quasi‐static tests. The typical failure mode of the specimens is the buckling of a steel stud, which involves the boards that are attached to the buckled stud. The buckling failure usually concentrates across the plasterboard horizontal joints. A frictional behavior is exhibited for low demand levels, whereas a pinched behavior is shown for moderate‐to‐high demand levels. The interstory drift ratios required to reach a given damage limit state are evaluated using a predefined damage scheme. Based on the experimental data, the fragility curves for three different damage states (DS1, DS2, and DS3) are estimated. The fragility curve yields median interstory drift ratio values of 0.28%, 0.81%, and 2.05% and logarithmic standard deviations of 0.39, 0.42, and 0.46 for DS1, DS2, and DS3, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical model for the in‐plane seismic performance of cold‐formed steel‐framed gypsum partition walls

This paper proposes an experimentally verified procedure to analytically model cold‐formed steel‐framed gypsum nonstructural partition walls considering all the critical components. In this model, the nonlinear behaviors of the connections are represented by hysteretic load‐deformation springs, which have been calibrated using the component‐level experimental data. The studs and tracks are modeled adopting beam elements with their section properties accounting for nonlinear behavior. The gypsum boards are simulated by linear four‐node shell elements. The proposed procedure is implemented to generate the analytical models of three full‐scale partition wall specimens in the OpenSees platform. The specimens were tested as a part of the NEESR‐GC Project on Simulation of the Seismic Performance of Nonstructural Systems. Force‐displacement responses, cumulative dissipated energy, and damage mechanisms from the analytical simulation are compared to the experimental results. The comparison shows that the analytical model accurately predicts the trend of the response as well as the possible damage mechanisms. The procedure proposed here can be adopted in future studies by researchers and also engineers to assess the seismic performance of partition walls with various dimensions and construction details, especially where test data are not available. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic performance evaluation of non‐structural components: drywall partitions

As the first part of non‐structural component test series, interior drywall partitions are selected for an experimental program. This test series will cover non‐structural components that are significant in the economic losses in buildings subjected to seismic loading, namely interior drywall partitions, exterior cladding and window glasses, and ceilings. Four full‐scale drywall partitions with light‐gage steel stud framing were tested to observe damage in cyclic loading conditions. Effects of a door and an intersecting wall on the behaviour of drywall partition are studied. Damage was concentrated to perimeter regions where gypsum boards made contacts with ceiling, floor, or columns. Dynamic loading did not amplify the damage on a drywall partition over the damage observed from the quasi‐static test. Damage–repair cost relationships show that the repair cost reaches almost the initial cost under 2% radian interstorey drift. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interaction between cladding and structural frame observed in a full‐scale steel building test

Interaction between the external wall cladding and the seismic load resisting frame was examined in a full‐scale cyclic loading test of a three‐storey steel building structure. The building specimen had Autoclaved Lightweight Concrete (ALC, also designated as Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) panels installed and anchored to the structural frame as external wall cladding, using a standard Japanese method developed following the 1995 Kobe earthquake. ALC panelling is among the most widely used material for claddings in Japan. In the test, the ALC panel cladding contributed little to the stiffness and strength of the overall structure, even under a very large storey drift of 0.04 rad. No visible damage was noted in the ALC panels other than minor cracks and spalling of the bottom of the panels in the first storey. Consequently, in a Japanese steel building with properly installed ALC panel cladding, the structural frame is likely to be little affected by its cladding, and the ALC panels are capable of accommodating the maximum storey drift generally considered in structural design without sustaining discernible damage. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Consistent floor response spectra for performance-based seismic design of nonstructural elements

The achievement of adequate performance objectives for buildings under increasing seismic intensities is not only related to the performance of structural members but also to the behavior of nonstructural elements. The need to properly design nonstructural elements for earthquakes has been largely demonstrated in the last few years and has become an important objective within the earthquake engineering community. A crucial aspect in the proper design of nonstructural elements is the definition of the seismic demand in terms of both absolute acceleration and relative displacement floor response spectra. In the first part of this study, relative displacement and absolute acceleration floor response spectra were computed for four reinforced concrete moment-resisting archetype frames via dynamic time-history analyses and were compared with floor response spectra predicted by means of two recent simplified methodologies available in the literature. It was observed that one of the existing methodologies is generally unable to predict consistent absolute acceleration and relative displacement floor response spectra. An improved procedure is developed for estimating consistent floor response spectra for building structures subjected to low and medium-high seismic intensities. This new procedure improves the predictions of a relative displacement floor response spectrum by constraining its ordinates at long nonstructural periods to the expected peak absolute displacement of the floor. The resulting acceleration and relative displacement response spectra are then consistently related by the well-known pseudo-spectral relationship over the entire nonstructural period range. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology was appraised against floor response spectra computed from nonlinear time-history analyses.     

In‐plane and out‐of‐plane behavior of confined masonry walls for various toothing and openings details and prediction of their strength and stiffness

Eight half‐scale brick masonry walls were tested to study two important aspects of confined masonry (CM) walls related to its seismic behavior under in‐plane and out‐of‐plane loads. Four solid wall specimens tested to investigate the role of type of interface between the masonry and tie‐columns, such as toothing varying from none to every course. The other four specimens with openings were tested to study the effectiveness of various strengthening options around opening to mitigate their negative influence. In the set of four walls, one wall was infilled frame while the other three were CM walls of different configurations. The experimental results were further used to determine the accuracy of various existing models in predicting the in‐plane response quantities of CM walls. Confined masonry walls maintained structural integrity even when severely damaged and performed much better than infill frames. No significant effect of toothing details was noticed although toothing at every brick course was preferred for better post‐peak response. For perforated walls, provision of vertical elements along with continuous horizontal bands around openings was more effective in improving the overall response. Several empirical and semi‐empirical equations are available to estimate the lateral strength and stiffness of CM walls, but those including the contribution of longitudinal reinforcement in tie‐columns provided better predictions. The available equations along with reduction factors proposed for infills could not provide good estimates of strength and stiffness for perforated CM walls. However, recently proposed relations correlating strength/stiffness with the degree of confinement provided reasonable predictions for all wall specimens. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Out‐of‐plane seismic response of vertically spanning URM walls connected to flexible diaphragms

A simplified numerical model was used to investigate the out‐of‐plane seismic response of vertically spanning unreinforced masonry (URM) wall strips. The URM wall strips were assumed to span between two flexible diaphragms and to develop a horizontal crack above the wall mid‐height. Three degrees of freedom were used to accommodate the wall displacement at the crack height and at the diaphragm connections, and the wall dynamic stability was studied. The equations of dynamic motion were obtained using principles of rocking mechanics of rigid bodies, and the formulae were modified to include semi‐rigid wall behaviour. Parametric studies were conducted that included calculation of the wall response for different values of diaphragm stiffness, wall properties, applied overburden, wall geometry and earthquake ground motions. The results of the study suggest that stiffening the horizontal diaphragms of typical low‐rise URM buildings will amplify the out‐of‐plane acceleration demand imposed on the wall and especially on the wall–diaphragm connections. It was found that upper‐storey walls connected to two flexible diaphragms had reduced stability for applied earthquake accelerograms having dominant frequency content that was comparable with the frequency of the diaphragms. It was also found that the applied overburden reduced wall stability by reducing the allowable wall rotations. The results of this study suggest that the existing American Society of Civil Engineers recommendations for assessment of vertically spanning walls overestimate the stability of top‐storey walls in multi‐storey buildings in high‐seismic regions or for walls connected to larger period (less stiff) diaphragms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simplified macro‐model for infill masonry walls considering the out‐of‐plane behaviour

One of the main challenges in earthquake risk mitigation is the assessment of existing buildings not designed according to modern codes and the development of effective techniques to strengthen these structures. Particular attention should be given to RC frame structures with masonry infill panels, as demonstrated by their poor performance in recent earthquakes in Europe. Understanding the seismic behaviour of masonry‐infilled RC frames presents one of the most difficult problems in structural engineering. Analytical tools to evaluate infill–frame interaction and the failure mechanisms need to be further studied. This research intends to develop a simplified macro‐model that takes into account the out‐of‐plane behaviour of the infill panels and the corresponding in‐plane and out‐of‐plane interaction when subjected to seismic loadings. Finally, a vulnerability assessment of an RC building will be performed in order to evaluate the influence of the out‐of‐plane consideration in the building response. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

In‐plane strength of unreinforced masonry piers

The definition of adequate simplified models to assess the in‐plane load‐bearing capacity of masonry piers, in terms of both strength and displacement, plays a fundamental role in the seismic verification of masonry buildings. In this paper, a critical review of the most widespread strength criteria present in the literature and codes to interpret the failure modes of piers (rocking, crushing, bed joint sliding or diagonal cracking) are proposed. Models are usually based on an approximate evaluation of the stress state produced by the external forces in a few points/sections and on its assessment with reference to a limit strength domain. The aim of the review is to assess their reliability by discussing the hypotheses, which they are based on (assumed stress states; choice of reference points/sections on which to assess the pier strength; characteristics of the limit strength domain) and to verify the conditions for their proper use in practice, in terms of both stress fields (depending on the geometry of the pier, boundary conditions and applied loads) and types of masonry (i.e. regular brick masonry vs rubble stone masonry). In order to achieve these objectives, parametric nonlinear finite element analyses are performed and different experimental data available in the literature are analysed and compared. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Acceleration response modification factors for nonstructural components attached to inelastic moment‐resisting frame structures

A statistical analysis of the peak acceleration demands for nonstructural components (NSCs) supported on a variety of stiff and flexible inelastic regular moment‐resisting frame structures with periods from 0.3 to 3.0 s exposed to 40 far‐field ground motions is presented. Peak component acceleration (PCA) demands were quantified based on the floor response spectrum (FRS) method without considering dynamic interaction effects. This study evaluated the main factors that influence the amplification or decrease of FRS values caused by inelasticity in the primary structure in three distinct spectral regions namely long‐period, fundamental‐period, and short‐period region. The amplification or decrease of peak elastic acceleration demands depends on the location of the NSC in the supporting structure, periods of the component and building, damping ratio of the component, and level of inelasticity of the supporting structure. While FRS values at the initial modal periods of the supporting structure are reduced due to inelastic action in the primary structure, the region between the modal periods experiences an increase in PCA demands. A parameter denoted as acceleration response modification factor (R_acc) was proposed to quantify this reduction/increase in PCA demands. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of out‐of‐plane seismic performance of column‐to‐column precast concrete cladding panels in one‐storey industrial buildings

Recent earthquakes in Italy (L'Aquila 2009 and Emilia 2012) highlighted the vulnerability of precast cladding panels, typically associated with a connection system not designed to account for displacement and rotation compatibility between the panels and the supporting structure. Experimental investigations were performed in the past to investigate the in‐plane performance of cladding panels and design recommendations have been made accordingly; however, in the case of out‐of‐plane seismic loads, the load demand is commonly evaluated in the design practice by means of formulations for nonstructural components. This paper summarizes the results obtained from parametric analyses conducted to estimate the out‐of‐plane load demand in column‐to‐column cladding panels typical of one‐storey commercial and industrial buildings. Empirical equations suitable for both new and existing panels are proposed and compared with the design equations given in Eurocode 8 and ASCE 7. The paper also considers the effects of the development of plastic hinges at the column base and of the roof flexibility on the load demand in panel‐to‐column connections. The roof flexibility may generate the torsion of the panels; consequently, an analytical procedure to account for such effects is proposed. Finally, general design recommendations are made.     

Shake table tests for the seismic fragility evaluation of hospital rooms

Health care facilities may undergo severe and widespread damage that impairs the functionality of the system when it is stricken by an earthquake. Such detrimental response is emphasized either for the hospital buildings designed primarily for gravity loads or without employing base isolation/supplemental damping systems. Moreover, these buildings need to warrant operability especially in the aftermath of moderate‐to‐severe earthquake ground motions. The provisions implemented in the new seismic codes allow obtaining adequate seismic performance for the hospital structural components; nevertheless, they do not provide definite yet reliable rules to design and protect the building contents. To date, very few experimental tests have been carried out on hospital buildings equipped with nonstructural components as well as building contents. The present paper is aimed at establishing the limit states for a typical health care room and deriving empirical fragility curves by considering a systemic approach. Toward this aim, a full scale three‐dimensional model of an examination (out patients consultation) room is constructed and tested dynamically by using the shaking table facility of the University of Naples, Italy. The sample room contains a number of typical medical components, which are either directly connected to the panel boards of the perimeter walls or behave as simple freestanding elements. The outcomes of the comprehensive shaking table tests carried out on the examination room have been utilized to derive fragility curves based on a systemic approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bidirectional seismic performance of steel beam to circular tubular column connections with outer diaphragm

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the seismic behavior of H‐beam to circular tubular column connections stiffened by an outer ring diaphragm. An innovative three‐dimensional (3D) connection subassembly testing system was first described. Specimens representative of two‐dimensional (2D) interior columns, 3D interior and exterior columns in a steel building frame were then tested to failure under unidirectional or bidirectional cyclic loads. Various specimen parameters are used to evaluate their effects on connection behavior. Test results indicate significantly different failure modes for 2D and 3D weak panel connections, with panel shear buckling and local distortion of outer diaphragm occurring only for 3D connections. The weak beam connections unexceptionally exhibited final fracture at the junction between diaphragm and beam flange. In contrast with weak beam connections, weak panel connections demonstrated better seismic performance and ductility. As a result, a seismic design philosophy considering panel zone yielding before beam flexural yielding is proposed. Based on experiment observations, small diaphragm width and simplified fillet welding are found to be feasible especially for weak beam connections, improving architectural appearance and facilitating construction. Strength evaluations also suggest that current AIJ design provisions may be appropriate when applied to panel zones in 3D connections. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Probabilistic evaluation of seismic performance of 3‐story 3D one‐ and two‐way steel moment‐frame structures

This paper presents the results of a probabilistic evaluation of the seismic performance of 3D steel moment‐frame structures. Two types of framing system are considered: one‐way frames typical of construction in the United States and two‐way frames typical of construction in Japan. For each framing system, four types of beam–column connections are considered: pre‐Northridge welded‐flange bolted‐web, post‐Northridge welded‐flange welded‐web, reduced‐beam‐section, and bolted‐flange‐plate connections. A suite of earthquake ground motions is used to compute the annual probability of exceedence (APE) for a series of drift demand levels and for member plastic‐rotation capacity. Results are compared for the different framing systems and connection details. It is found that the two‐way frames, which have a larger initial stiffness and strength than the one‐way frames for the same beam and column volumes, have a smaller APE for small drift demands for which members exhibit no or minimal yielding, but have a larger APE for large drift demands for which members exhibit large plastic rotations. However, the one‐way frames, which typically comprise a few seismic frames with large‐sized members that have relatively small rotation capacities, may have a larger APE for member failure. The probabilistic approach presented in this study may be used to determine the most appropriate frame configuration to meet an owner's performance objectives. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

型钢混凝土剪力墙抗震性能影响参数研究

型钢混凝土剪力墙是一种广泛应用于高层混合结构中的剪力墙形式。本文采用通用有限元程序ADINA,以边缘构件含钢率为主要参数,对不同剪跨比的几组剪力墙承载力和变形能力进行了分析,并与考虑了剪力墙混凝土等级、轴压比、配筋率和边缘约束指标等参数影响的剪力墙性能进行了比较研究。结果表明,在高层结构中采用较高强度的混凝土是有利的,但剪力墙的轴压比需要严格限制,且墙体配筋率并不是提高其抗震性能的有效手段。在高层混合结构剪力墙中,通过边缘构件设置型钢可有效增加墙体延性,且边缘约束构件的约束指标可取0.32左右。     

Investigation of the sliding behavior between steel and mortar for seismic applications in structures

The friction developed between a steel base plate and a mortar base contributes shear resistance to the building system during a seismic event. In order to investigate the possible sliding behavior between the base plate and the mortar, a shake table study is undertaken using a large rigid mass supported by steel contact elements which rest on mortar surfaces connected to the shake table. Horizontal input accelerations are considered at various magnitudes and frequencies. The results provide a constant friction coefficient during sliding with an average value of approximately 0.78. A theoretical formulation of the friction behavior is also undertaken. The theoretical equations show that the sliding behavior is dependent on the ratio of the friction force to the input force. The addition of vertical accelerations to the system further complicates the sliding behavior as a result of the varying normal force. This results in a variable friction resistance which is a function of the amplitude, phase, and frequency of the horizontal and vertical input motions. In general, this study showed a consistent and reliable sliding behavior between steel and mortar. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical simulation and seismic performance evaluation of buried pipelines rehabilitated with cured‐in‐place‐pipe liner under seismic wave propagation

The cured‐in‐place‐pipe (CIPP) liner technology involves installation of flexible polymeric composite liners coated with thermosetting resin to the inner surfaces of existing buried pipelines. This innovative technology provides an efficient, economic, and environmentally friendly alternative for rehabilitation of structurally compromised underground pipelines without expensive and disruptive excavation. However, the lack of analytical/numerical procedures to quantify the seismic performance of CIPP liner reinforced pipelines remains a barrier to the seismic design and rehabilitation of underground pipelines. This paper first develops an experimentally validated hysteretic model of ductile iron push‐on joints, reinforced with one particular type of CIPP liner under repeated axial loading. A numerical procedure is then proposed to systematically assess the seismic performance and fragility of straight buried pipelines incorporating push‐on joints and subjected to transient ground deformations. The numerical results indicate that CIPP liner‐reinforced pipelines exhibit favorable robust seismic performance with limited joint damage under high‐intensity transient ground deformations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computational study of self‐centering buckling‐restrained braced frame seismic performance

Recent research developed and experimentally validated a self‐centering buckling‐restrained brace (SC‐BRB) that employs a restoring mechanism created using concentric tubes held flush with pretensioned shape memory alloy rods, in conjunction with a buckling‐restrained brace (BRB) that dissipates seismic energy. The present computational study investigated how the SC‐BRB can be implemented in real buildings to improve seismic performance. First, a computational brace model was developed and calibrated against experimental data, including the definition of a new cyclic material model for superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy. A parametric study were then conducted to explore the design space for SC‐BRBs. Finally, a set of prototype buildings was designed and computationally subjected to a suite of ground motions. The effect of the lateral resistance of gravity framing on self‐centering was also examined. From the component study, the SC‐BRB was found to dissipate sufficient energy even with large self‐centering ratios (as large as 4) based on criteria found in the literature for limiting peak drifts. From the prototype building study, a SC‐BRB self‐centering ratio of 0.5 was capable of reliably limiting residual drifts to negligible values, which is consistent with a dynamic form of self‐centering discussed in the literature. Because large self‐centering ratios can create significant overstrength, the most efficient SC‐BRB frame designs had a self‐centering ratio in the range of 0.5–1.5. Ambient building resistance (e.g., gravity framing) was found to reduce peak drifts, but had a negligible effect on residual drifts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic performance of highway bridges with fusing bearing components for quasi‐isolation

Modern highway bridges in Illinois are often installed with economical elastomeric bearings that allow for thermal movement of the superstructure, and steel fixed bearings and transverse retainers that prevent excessive movement from service‐level loadings. In the event of an earthquake, the bearing system has the potential to provide a quasi‐isolated response where failure of sacrificial elements and sliding of the bearings can cause a period elongation and reduce or cap the force demands on the substructure. A computational model that has been calibrated for the expected nonlinear behaviors is used to carry out a parametric study to evaluate quasi‐isolated bridge behavior. The study investigates different superstructure types, substructure types, substructure heights, foundation types, and elastomeric bearing types. Overall, only a few bridge variants were noted to unseat for design‐level seismic input in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, indicating that most structures in Illinois would not experience severe damage during their typical design life. However, Type II bearing systems, which consist of an elastomeric bearing and a flat PTFE slider, would in some cases result in critical damage from unseating at moderate and high seismic input. The sequence of damage for many bridge cases indicates yielding of piers at low‐level seismic input. This is caused by the high strength of the fixed bearing element, which justifies further calibration of the quasi‐isolation design approach. Finally, the type of ground motion, pier height, and bearing type were noted to have significant influence on the global bridge response. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Minimal‐disturbance seismic rehabilitation of steel moment‐resisting frames using light‐weight steel elements

This paper presents a rehabilitation technique developed under a design and construction scheme, termed minimal‐disturbance seismic rehabilitation. This scheme pursues enhancing the seismic performance of buildings with the intention of improving the continuity of business while minimizing obstruction of the visual and physical space of building users and the use of heavy construction equipment and hot work (welding/cutting). The developed rehabilitation technique consists of light‐weight steel elements and aims to decrease demands to beam‐ends of steel moment‐resisting frames. The behavior of the baseline model was verified through numerical analysis and proof‐of‐concept testing. Furthermore, the effectiveness of rehabilitation is studied through retrofitting a four‐story steel moment‐resisting frame originally designed with Japanese design guidelines. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.