The Frozen Soils and Devastating Characteristics of West Kunlun Mountains Pass Ms 8.1 Earthquake Area in 2001

The investigation on damages to frozen soil sites during the West Kunlun Mountains Pass earthquake with Ms 8.1 in 2001 shows that the frozen soil in the seismic area is composed mainly of moraine, alluvial deposit, diluvial deposit and lacustrine deposit with the depth varying greatly along the earthquake rupture zone. The deformation and rupture of frozen soil sites are mainly in the form of coseismic fracture zones caused by tectonic motion and fissures,liquefaction, seismic subsidence and collapse resulting from ground motion. The earthquake fracture zones on the surface are main brittle deformations, which, under the effect of sinlstral strike-slip movement, are represented by shear fissures, tensional cracks and compressive bulges. The distribution and configuration patterns of deformation and rupture such as fissures, liquefaction, seismic subsidence and landslides are all related to the ambient rock and soil conditions of the earthquake area. The distribution of earthquake damage is characterized by large-scale rupture zones, rapid intensity attenuation along the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet) Highway, where buildings distribute and predominant effect of rock and soil conditions.     

Characteristics of Seismic Damage of Buildings: Constraints from Tilt Photography Technology

In this paper, the tilt photography data acquisition and three-dimensional modeling of the Tashkurgan M_S5.5 earthquake in Xinjiang are conducted using the tilt photography system of the Rotor UAV. The three-dimensional model is used to interpret the earthquake damage on buildings in the mega-earthquake area in order to acquire different-level house damage in the Kuzirun village disaster area. In addition, the characteristics of seismic damage on typical buildings are analyzed. The results show that the main collapsed houses in the mega-earthquake area are sand-stone buildings, of which about 39% are sand-stone buildings. Several brick-wood buildings and brick-concrete buildings are seriously damaged, while the buildings with frame structures are mainly slightly damaged, and the houses near the macro-epicenter of the earthquake are all in good conditions. Three-dimensional tilt photography technology can vividly display the scene of earthquake disaster, and can provide significant demonstration in building damage degree together with detailed analysis of disaster situation.     

Seismic response control of a complex structure using multiple MR dampers： experimental investigation

This paper presents an experimental investigation on semi-active seismic response control of a multistory building with a podium structure using multiple magnetorheological (MR) dampers manipulated by a logic control algorithm. The experiments are performed in three phases on a seismic simulator with a slender 12-story building model representing a multi-story building and a relatively stiff 3-story building model typifying a podium structure. The first phase of the investigation is to assess control performance of using three MR dampers to link the 3-story building to the 12-story building, in which seismic responses of the controlled two buildings are compared with those of the two buildings without any connection and with rigid connection. The second phase is to investigate reliability of the semi-active control system and robustness of the logic control algorithm when 2 out of 3 MR dampers fail and when the electricity supply to MR dampers is completely stopped. The last phase is to examine sensitivity of semi-active control performance of two buildings to change in ground excitation. The experimental results show that multiple MR dampers with the logic control algorithm can achieve a significant reduction in seismic responses of both buildings. The proposed semi-active control system is of high reliability and good robustness.     

基于综合震害指数的玉树地震烈度遥感评估研究

This paper provides an overview of the ideas and methods of the assessment of seismic intensity based on remote sensing and describes the models used to assess the remote sensing based synthetic seismic damage index and seismic intensity. With the data of damage information extracted from the high-resolution aerial images in the earthquake-stricken areas （Jiegu town, Yushu city, Qinghai） of the 2010 Ms7. 1 Yushu earthquake, and the data obtained through post-earthquake field investigation, the seismic damage degree and seismic intensity have been estimated. The analysis of the results shows that the seismic intensity in Yushu city is estimated as IX through the RS assessment method, which is consistent with the result estimated according to the ground surveys. The results are discussed in the last part of the paper and indicate that the RS techniques are expected to be one of the main methods used to estimate the seismic intensity values in the emergency stage.     

Microtremor-based analysis of the dynamic response characteristics of earth-fissured sites in the Datong basin,China

This study conducted microtremor testing along six survey lines that cross three typical earth fissures in the Datong basin to determine the dynamic response characteristics of earth fissure sites with regard to the Fourier amplitude spectrum, response spectrum, and Arias intensity. The results show the following.(1) The predominant frequency of an earth fissure site is mainly affected by the thickness and the shear wave velocity of the soil layer and is minimally effected by the presence of an earth fissure.(2) Earth fissures have a pronounced amplification effect on dynamic response. Fourier amplitude, response acceleration, and Arias intensity are high near an earth fissure and decrease with an increase in distance from the earth fissure, tending toward stability at a distance of 20 m.(3) The area that is seriously affected by this amplification is within 6–8 m of an earth fissure, and the general affected area is farther out than this, to a distance of 25 m.(4) New construction should be avoided in an area affected by the amplification, and existing buildings in general and seriously affected areas need to be reinforced to increase their seismic fortification intensity.     

Seismic fragility assessment of low-rise stone masonry buildings

Many historic buildings in old urban centers in Eastern Canada are made of stone masonry reputed to be highly vulnerable to seismic loads.Seismic risk assessment of stone masonry buildings is therefore the first step in the risk mitigation process to provide adequate planning for retrofit and preservation of historical urban centers.This paper focuses on development of analytical displacement-based fragility curves reflecting the characteristics of existing stone masonry buildings in Eastern Canada.The old historic center of Quebec City has been selected as a typical study area.The standard fragility analysis combines the inelastic spectral displacement,a structure-dependent earthquake intensity measure,and the building damage state correlated to the induced building displacement.The proposed procedure consists of a three-step development process:(1) mechanics-based capacity model,(2) displacement-based damage model and(3) seismic demand model.The damage estimation for a uniform hazard scenario of 2% in 50 years probability of exceedance indicates that slight to moderate damage is the most probable damage experienced by these stone masonry buildings.Comparison is also made with fragility curves implicit in the seismic risk assessment tools Hazus and ELER.Hazus shows the highest probability of the occurrence of no to slight damage,whereas the highest probability of extensive and complete damage is predicted with ELER.This comparison shows the importance of the development of fragility curves specific to the generic construction characteristics in the study area and emphasizes the need for critical use of regional risk assessment tools and generated results.     

Multi-hazard performance assessment of a transfer-plate high-rise building

Many urban areas are located in regions of moderate seismicity and are subjected to strong wind. Buildings in these regions are often designed without seismic provisions. As a result, in the event of an earthquake, the potential for damage and loss of lives may not be known. In this paper, the performance of a typical high-rise building with a thick transfer plate (TP), which is one type of building structure commonly found in Hong Kong, is assessed against both earthquake and wind hazards. Seismic- and wind-resistant performance objectives are fi rst reviewed based on relevant codes and design guidelines for high-rise buildings. After a brief introduction of wind-resistant design of the building, various methodologies, including equivalent static load analysis (ESLA), response spectrum analysis (RSA), pushover analysis (POA), linear and nonlinear time-history analysis (LTHA and NTHA), are employed to assess the seismic performance of the building when subjected to frequent earthquakes, design based earthquakes and maximum credible earthquakes. The effects of design wind and seismic action with a common 50-year return period are also compared. The results indicate that most performance objectives can be satisfi ed by the building, but there are some objectives, such as inter-story drift ratio, that cannot be achieved when subjected to the frequent earthquakes. It is concluded that in addition to wind, seismic action may need to be explicitly considered in the design of buildings in regions of moderate seismicity.     

Development of damage probability matrices based on Greek earthquake damage data

A comprehensive study is presented for empirical seismic vulnerability assessment of typical structural types, representative of the building stock of Southern Europe, based on a large set of damage statistics. The observational database was obtained from post-earthquake surveys carried out in the area struck by the September 7, 1999 Athens earthquake. After analysis of the collected observational data, a unified damage database has been created which comprises 180,945 damaged buildings from/after the near-field area of the earthquake. The damaged buildings are classified in specific structural types, according to the materials, seismic codes and construction techniques in Southern Europe. The seismic demand is described in terms of both the regional macroseismic intensity and the ratio αg/ao, where αg is the maximum peak ground acceleration (PGA) of the earthquake event and ao is the unique value PGA that characterizes each municipality shown on the Greek hazard map. The relative and cumulative frequencies of the different damage states for each structural type and each intensity level are computed in terms of damage ratio. Damage probability matrices (DPMs) and vulnerability curves are obtained for specific structural types. A comparison analysis is fulfilled between the produced and the existing vulnerability models.     

Near-fault ground motion bi-normalized pseudo-velocity spectra and its applications

Ground motions with forward-directivity effect in the near-fault region are obviously different from ordinary far-field ground motions. Design spectral models for this kind of motions have been proposed by correlating sim-ple pulses with parameters attenuation relationships in a previous study of the authors. To further test the applica-bility of the established design spectral model, we analyze ground motion pseudo-velocity response spectra (PVS), normalized pseudo-velocity spectra (NPVS) and bi-normalized pseudo-velocity spectra (BNPVS) of 53 typical near-fault forward-directivity ground motions. It is found that BNPVS not only has more salient features to reflect the difference between soil and rock sites, but also has less scattering to reveal the nature of forward-directivity motions. And then, BNPVS is used for prediction of design spectra accounting for the influence of site conditions, and the constructed design spectra are compared with those spectra established previously. It is concluded that site condition can heavily affect ground motions, buildings on rock can be even more dangerous than those on soil sites, in particular for ordinary buildings with short to middle vibration periods. Finally, pulse models are also suggested for structural analyses in the near-fault region.     

Fracturing and Displacement Types of Active Faults in Unconsolidated Accumulative Materials and Their Implication for Timing Palaeoseismic Rupture Events

Seismic rupture produced by active faulting causes ground surface fracturing and seriously damages buildings.However,the fracture traces are usually indistinct or non-visible because of complicated deformations in Quaternary unconsolidated materials,so their upper parts can hardly be discovered on exploratory trenches.The aim of this paper is to study the types of fault rupture and displacement in different loose deposit beds from a joint view of mega-,meso-,and microscopic scales,and to find the mark and method for timing the palaeoseismic rupture on exploratory trenches.     

Seismic design analysis of the country masonry school buildings in the meizoseismal area

Several reinforcing schemes are illustrated that are based on the loading characteristics of typical country masonry school buildings with sparsely spaced transversal walls and large depth. From the seismic damage observed following the Wenchuan Earthquake, the effects of reinforcing schemes, tie-columns and tie-beams on the seismic resistance of masonry buildings are analyzed. The concept of improving the ductility of these types of buildings is presented. Finally, some suggestions are proposed for the design of masonry buildings with sparsely spaced transversal walls and large depth.     

Intensity Distribution of the Mojiang MS5.9 Earthquake in Yunnan in 2018

The distribution of the intensity of the Mojiang M_S5.9 earthquake in Yunnan Province is expounded, and the damage characteristics of buildings and the damage ratio and seismic damage index of various building structures in each intensity area are compared with those of The Chinese Seismic Intensity Scale. The main basis and method of seismic intensity assessment are discussed in this paper. It is concluded that: ① The seismic intensity should be based on the earthquake damage of the housing structure, which takes up a high ratio in the seismic intensity assessment. It is recommended that seismic intensity is estimated by calculating the average seismic damage index. ② The highest intensity of the Mojiang M_S5.9 earthquake is Ⅷ degrees, with the long axis trending in the north-west direction. The area above Ⅶ degrees is 5,180 km~2. ③ The intensity distribution of the Mojiang M_S5.9 earthquake meets the national standard and the distribution law of seismic intensity in Yunnan.     

Response reduction factor of irregular RC buildings in Kathmandu valley

Most current seismic design includes the nonlinear response of a structure through a response reduction factor(R). This allows the designer to use a linear elastic force-based approach while accounting for nonlinear behavior and deformation limits. In fact, the response reduction factor is used in modern seismic codes to scale down the elastic response of a structure. This study focuses on estimating the actual ‘R' value for engineered design/construction of reinforced concrete(RC) buildings in Kathmandu valley. The ductility and overstrength of representative RC buildings in Kathmandu are investigated. Nonlinear pushover analysis was performed on structural models in order to evaluate the seismic performance of buildings. Twelve representative engineered irregular buildings with a variety of characteristics located in the Kathmandu valley were selected and studied. Furthermore, the effects of overstrength on the ductility factor, beam column capacity ratio on the building ductility, and load path on the response reduction factor, are examined. Finally, the results are further analyzed and compared with different structural parameters of the buildings.     

The Tesistan,Mexico earthquake (Mw 4.9) of 11 May 2016: seismic-tectonic environment and resonance vulnerability on buildings

To highlight the importance of small earthquakes in seismic hazard, a study of the 11 May 2016, M_w 4.9, Tesistan, Mexico earthquake is presented. Due to the close proximity of the event to the city, accelerations were considerably higher than those caused by historical severe earthquakes(6.0 M_w 8.2). This paper addresses two objectives related to the Tesistan event: the first is to estimate the focal mechanism solution in order to place the event in the context of the tectonic environment of this area. The second is focused on a vulnerability evaluation of buildings that suffered resonance. Several building′s typologies with variations in construction system and height are assessed in terms of resonance with the structural and soil periods. The results show that around the Zapopan station, strong damage is expected in intermediate to high-rise buildings(12-30 m) with moment resistant frame systems and in reinforced concrete shear walls. Masonry structures around this station may not present resonance. In contrast, in the surroundings of the Guadalajara station, all intermediate height buildings from 9 to 21 m may present resonance.     

Seismic design factors for RC special moment resisting frames in Dubai, UAE

This study investigates the seismic design factors for three reinforced concrete (RC) framed buildings with 4, 16 and 32-stories in Dubai, UAE utilizing nonlinear analysis. The buildings are designed according to the response spectrum procedure defined in the 2009 International Building Code (IBC’09). Two ensembles of ground motion records with 10% and 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years (10/50 and 2/50, respectively) are used. The nonlinear dynamic responses to the earthquake records are computed using IDARC-2D. Key seismic design parameters are evaluated; namely, response modification factor (R), deflection amplification factor (Cd), system overstrength factor (Ωo), and response modification factor for ductility (Rd) in addition to inelastic interstory drift. The evaluated seismic design factors are found to significantly depend on the considered ground motion (10/50 versus 2/50). Consequently, resolution to the controversy of Dubai seismicity is urged. The seismic design factors for the 2/50 records show an increase over their counterparts for the 10/50 records in the range of 200%-400%, except for the Ωo factor, which shows a mere 30% increase. Based on the observed trends, period-dependent R and Cd factors are recommended if consistent collapse probability (or collapse prevention performance) in moment frames with varying heights is to be expected.     

Seismic performance of high-rise buildings in selected regions in Saudi Arabia according to different seismic codes

The design code for each country is revised and updated based on an expected zone’s seismic intensities,geotechnical site classifications,structural systems,construction materials and methods of construction in order to provide more realistic considerations of seismic demand,seismic response,and seismic capacity.Based on the aforementioned provisions,structures designed according to different seismic codes may yield different performances for the same level of hazard.This study aims to investigate and compare the induced responses related to the earthquake-resistant design of reinforced concrete(RC)buildings according to the Saudi building code(SBC-301),American code(ASCE-7),uniform building code(UBC-97),and European code(EC-8).In order to account for the provision regarding the hazard specification and its effect on the induced seismic responses,four regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with different seismic levels are selected.The code provisions related to the specification of site classification and its effect on the induced design base shear are investigated as well.Significant differences are observed in the induced responses with the variation in seismic design codes for the considered seismic hazards and site classifications.     

A review of the research and application of deep learning-based computer vision in structural damage detection

Damage detection is a key procedure in maintenance throughout structures′life cycles and post-disaster loss assessment.Due to the complex types of structural damages and the low efficiency and safety of manual detection,detecting damages with high efficiency and accuracy is the most popular research direction in civil engineering.Computer vision(CV)technology and deep learning(DL)algorithms are considered as promising tools to address the aforementioned challenges.The paper aims to systematically summarized the research and applications of DL-based CV technology in the field of damage detection in recent years.The basic concepts of DL-based CV technology are introduced first.The implementation steps of creating a damage detection dataset and some typical datasets are reviewed.CV-based structural damage detection algorithms are divided into three categories,namely,image classification-based(IC-based)algorithms,object detection-based(OD-based)algorithms,and semantic segmentation-based(SS-based)algorithms.Finally,the problems to be solved and future research directions are discussed.The foundation for promoting the deep integration of DL-based CV technology in structural damage detection and structural seismic damage identification has been laid.     

汶川地震房屋震害的一些现象分析

The MS8.0 Wenchuan earthquake caused a great deal of damage and collapse to engineering structures. Survey of disaster and engineering damage was made in detail by the authors and other researchers in the extreme earthquake disaster area. The paper makes an overview of the earthquake disaster status and damage phenomena which include brick-concrete buildings, frame structures, brick-wood structures, and timber frame residential buildings. Furthermore, the causes of the disaster and building damage phenomena are briefly discussed. In addition, some typical damage phenomena are specialized. According to the phenomena mentioned above, some feasible seismic measures are suggested for the development of buildings in future.     

Comparative study on the deviation characteristics of post-earthquake intensity evaluation based on two intensity attenuation relationship models

We collect the isoseismal data of 488 earthquakes in western China and 182 earthquakes in eastern China after 1900. The least square method is used to establish two models of the seismic intensity attenuation relationship partitions in China, based on the major and minor axis ellipse models, and the area and the major axis radius,respectively. The two models are applied to the calculation of the intensity circle of the earthquake events with a magnitude M_S≥5.0 from 2008 to 2019, and the actual intensity is compared with the model intensity value as an indicator to verify the consistency between the actual intensity and the value from the empirical statistical model.Three real earthquake results are selected to calculate the major and minor axis and area of the ellipse using the two intensity attenuation relationship models. After comparison, we summarize the deviation characteristics of the intensity value, and put forward corresponding improvement suggestions.     

Influence of earthquake direction on the seismic response of irregular plan RC frame buildings

The nonlinear response of structures is usually evaluated by considering two accelerograms acting simultaneously along the orthogonal directions. In this study, the infl uence of the earthquake direction on the seismic response of building structures is examined. Three multi-story RC buildings, representing a very common structural typology in Italy, are used as case studies for the evaluation. They are, respectively, a rectangular plan shape, an L plan shape and a rectangular plan shape with courtyard buildings. Nonlinear static and dynamic analyses are performed by considering different seismic levels, characterized by peak ground acceleration on stiff soil equal to 0.35 g, 0.25 g and 0.15 g. Nonlinear dynamic analyses are carried out by considering twelve different earthquake directions, and rotating the direction of both the orthogonal components by 30° for each analysis(from 0° to 330°). The survey is carried out on the L plan shape structure. The results show that the angle of the seismic input motion signifi cantly infl uences the response of RC structures; the critical seismic angle, i.e., the incidence angle that produces the maximum demand, provides an increase of up to 37% in terms of both roof displacements and plastic hinge rotations.