A macro‐model with nonlinear springs for seismic analysis of URM buildings

Seismic assessment of existing unreinforced masonry buildings represents a current challenge in structural engineering. Many historical masonry buildings in earthquake regions were not designed to withstand seismic loading; thus, these structures often do not meet the basic safety requirements recommended by current seismic codes and need to be strengthened considering the results from realistic structural analysis. This paper presents an efficient modelling strategy for representing the nonlinear response of unreinforced masonry components under in‐plane cyclic loading, which can be used for practical and accurate seismic assessment of masonry buildings. According to the proposed strategy, generic masonry perforated walls are modelled using an equivalent frame approach, where each masonry component is described utilising multi‐spring nonlinear elements connected by rigid links. When modelling piers and spandrels, nonlinear springs are placed at the two ends of the masonry element for describing the flexural behaviour and in the middle for representing the response in shear. Specific hysteretic rules allowing for degradation of stiffness and strength are then used for modelling the member response under cyclic loading. The accuracy and the significant potential of the proposed modelling approach are shown in several numerical examples, including comparisons against experimental results and the nonlinear dynamic analysis of a building structure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Earthquake performance assessment and rehabilitation of two historical unreinforced masonry buildings

The paper describes the earthquake performance assessment of two historical buildings located in Istanbul exposed to a M_w = 7+ earthquake expected to hit the city and proposes solutions for their structural rehabilitation and/or strengthening. Both buildings are unreinforced clay brick masonry (URM) structures built in 1869 and 1885, respectively. The first building is a rectangular-shaped structure rising on four floors. The second one is L-shaped with one basement and three normal floors above ground. They survived the 1894, M_s = 7.0 Istanbul Earthquake, during which widespread damage to URM buildings took place in the city. Earthquake ground motion to be used in performance assessment and retrofit design is determined through probabilistic and deterministic seismic hazard assessment. Strength characteristics of the brick walls are assessed on the basis of Schmidt hammer test results and information reported in the literature. Dynamic properties of the buildings (fundamental vibration periods) are measured via ambient vibration tests. The buildings are modelled and analyzed as three-dimensional assembly of finite elements. Following the preliminary assessment based on the equivalent earthquake loads method, the dynamic analysis procedure of FEMA 356 (Pre-standard and commentary for the seismic rehabilitation of buildings, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, 2000) and ASCE/SEI 41-06 (Seismic rehabilitation of existing buildings, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, 2007) is followed to obtain dynamic structural response of the buildings and to evaluate their earthquake performance. In order to improve earthquake resistance of the buildings, reinforced cement jacketing of the main load carrying walls and application of fiber reinforced polymer bands to the secondary walls are proposed.     

大震下村镇建筑砌体结构的抗震性能数值分析

为探讨村镇建筑低层砌体结构在大震下的动力响应及损伤分布情况,基于农居结构性能实地调查与检测,在有限元软件ABAQUS中建立了不同抗震构造措施的砌体结构有限元模型,并进行结构动力特性及大震下弹塑性时程的分析,对比它们的自振特性参数、位移响应参数及损伤破坏形态。分析表明,低层砌体结构合理设置构造柱后结构自振周期略有减小,但振型不变;在弹性变形阶段构造柱能有效约束结构的动力位移响应,进入塑性变形后构造柱可提高砌体结构的耗能能力,但值得注意的是,结构刚度退化后构造柱会加剧纵横向抗侧刚度的不均衡性;低层砌体结构合理设置圈梁构造柱可有效抑制承重横墙的裂缝发展及楼屋盖发生支座失效破坏,且可以明显削弱结构的扭转效应。     

A nonlinear SDOF model for the simplified evaluation of the displacement demand of low-rise URM buildings

The determination of displacement demands for masonry buildings subjected to seismic action is a key issue in the performance-based assessment and design of such structures. A technique for the definition of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) nonlinear systems that approximates the global behaviour of multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) 3D structural models has been developed in order to provide useful information on the dependency of displacement demand on different seismic intensity measures. The definition of SDOF system properties is based on the dynamic equivalence of the elastic properties (vibration period and viscous damping) and on the comparability with nonlinear hysteretic behaviour obtained by cyclic pushover analysis on MDOF models. The MDOF systems are based on a nonlinear macroelement model that is able to reproduce the in-plane shear and flexural cyclic behaviour of pier and spandrel elements. For the complete MDOF models an equivalent frame modelling technique was used. The equivalent SDOF system was modelled using a suitable nonlinear spring comprised of two macroelements in parallel. This allows for a simple calibration of the hysteretic response of the SDOF by suitably proportioning the contributions of flexure-dominated and shear-dominated responses. The comparison of results in terms of maximum displacements obtained for the SDOF and MDOF systems demonstrates the feasibility and reliability of the proposed approach. The comparisons between MDOF and equivalent SDOF systems, carried out for several building prototypes, were based on the results of time-history analyses performed with a large database of natural records covering a wide range of magnitude, distance and local soil conditions. The use of unscaled natural accelerograms allowed the displacement demand to be expressed as a function of different ground motion parameters allowing for the study of their relative influence on the displacement demand for masonry structures.     

地震作用下低层建筑砌体结构的动力特性分析

传统低层建筑砌体结构动力特性分析中,易受到外界环境的干扰,砌体结构的完整性欠缺,导致动力特性分析的准确度较低。为提高低层建筑砌体结构的抗震性能,提出地震作用下低层建筑砌体结构的动力特性分析方法。首先利用低层建筑砌体结构反应自功率谱,完成砌体结构的自振频率辨认;然后通过941B型超低频率测振仪测试自振频率,筛出振动波形中噪声干扰的区域,获取时域波形和频域波形;最后依据时域波形和频域波形塑造低层建筑砌体三维精细化模型,在该模型基础上,通过子空间迭代算法获取低层建筑砌体结构的模拟结果,分析地震作用下芯柱、圈梁等构造措施对建筑砌体结构动力特征的影响,完成砌体结构的动力特性分析。实验结果表明,利用所提方法对地震作用下低层建筑砌体结构的动力特性进行分析,得到的分析结果准确度较高。     

Shaking table tests on a masonry building monitored using smart bricks: Damage detection and localization

The seismic behavior of unreinforced masonry buildings is typically characterized by premature brittle collapse mechanisms that can cause serious consequences for the protection of human lives and for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. Structural health monitoring can be a powerful tool enabling a quick post-earthquake assessment of the structure's performance, but its applications are still scarce as a consequence of the severe limitations affecting off-the-shelf sensing technologies, in terms of local nature of the measurements, costs, as well as long-term behavior, installation, and maintenance. To overcome some of these limitations, the authors have recently proposed a new sensing technology, called “smart brick,” that is a durable clay brick doped with stainless steel microfibers, working as a smart strain sensor for masonry buildings. This paper presents the first full-scale application of smart bricks, used for detecting and localizing progressive earthquake-induced damage in an unreinforced masonry building subjected to shaking table tests. Smart bricks are employed to detect changes in load paths on masonry walls, comparing strain measurements acquired after each step of the seismic sequence with those referring to the undamaged structure. Experimental results are interpreted using a 3D finite element model built to reproduce the shaking table tests. Overall, the results demonstrate that the smart bricks can effectively reveal local permanent changes in structural conditions following a progressive damage, therefore being apt for earthquake-induced damage detection and localization.     

岩溶区砌体建筑环境振动特性分析

当前地震动速度时程时域特性分析方法,仅能分析岩溶区地震动速度时程的振动周期、强弱程度与时间变动的问题,但未能准确计算岩溶区砌体建筑物自振频率,导致砌体建筑环境振动特性分析结果存在误差。深入研究岩溶区砌体建筑环境振动特性分析方法,构建混凝土损伤塑性模型,分析岩溶区砌体建筑材料的屈服(受压)应力-非弹性应变关系、开裂(受拉)应力-非弹性应变关系和损伤因子;采用贝叶斯方法检测岩溶区砌体建筑受压受拉时的自振频率,通过L-M神经网络法消除自振频率后,使用振动特性分析方法准确分析岩溶区砌体建筑环境振动特性。实验结果表明,所提方法分析准确率高达0.99,分析16栋岩溶区砌体建筑环境振动特性耗时仅有5 ms,具有较高的分析精度和效率。     

Seismic resilience of retrofitted RC buildings

Existing buildings can be at a greater seismic risk due to non-conformance to current design codes and may require structural retrofitting to improve building performance. The performance of buildings is measured in terms of immediate consequences due to direct damage, but the continuing impacts related to recovery are not considered in seismic retrofit assessment. This paper introduces a framework of retrofit selection based on the seismic resilience of deficient buildings retrofitted with the conventional mitigation approaches. The assembly-based methodology is considered for the seismic resilience assessment by compiling a nonlinear numerical model and a building performance model. The collapse fragility is developed from the capacity curve, and the resulting social, economic, and environmental consequences are determined. The seismic resilience of a building is assessed by developing a downtime assessment methodology incorporating sequence of repairs, impeding factors, and utility availability. Five functionality states are developed for the building functionality given investigated time interval, and a functionality curve for each retrofit is determined. It is concluded that seismic resilience can be used as a performance indicator to assess the continuing impacts of a hazard for the retrofit selection.     

Seismic assessment of masonry buildings accounting for limited knowledge on materials by Bayesian updating

Several building codes propose methodologies to account for epistemic uncertainties in the seismic assessment of masonry buildings by selecting a knowledge level and reducing material strengths by means of the associated value of the confidence factor. Previous works showed that, in the case of masonry structures, this approach has various limitations, such as the lack of proper consideration of experimental tests performed. This article focuses on the issue of imperfect knowledge on material properties of existing masonry buildings and proposes a probabilistic methodology for the assessment, based on Bayesian updating of mechanical properties. The use of a Bayesian approach allows to update the values of the material properties assumed a priori as knowledge on the building increases, by taking into account all the experimental information gathered during the assessment process. A large number of simulated assessments is carried out and the values of the confidence factors on material properties are defined through the comparison between the obtained results and those of the reference structure, assumed to be perfectly known. These factors are useful in a more general framework for the assessment of masonry buildings accounting for different sources of uncertainty.     

Displacement capacity of masonry buildings as a basis for the assessment of behavior factor: an experimental study

The results of shaking table tests of a series of 1:5 scale masonry building models have been used for the assessment of values of structural behavior factor q for masonry structures, seismic force reduction factors proposed for the calculation of design seismic loads by Eurocode 8, European standard for the design of structures for earthquake resistance. Six models have been tested, representing prototype buildings of two different structural configurations and built with two different types of masonry materials. The study indicated that the reduction of seismic forces for the design depends not only on the type of masonry construction system, but also on structural configuration and mechanical characteristics of masonry materials. It has been also shown that besides displacement and energy dissipation capacity, damage limitation requirement should be taken into account when evaluating the values of behavior factor. On the basis of analysis of experimental results a conclusion can be made, that the values at the upper limit of the proposed range of values of structural behavior factor q for unreinforced and confined masonry construction systems are adequate, if pushover methods are used and the calculated global ductility of the structure is compared with the displacement demand. In the case where elastic analysis methods are used and significant overstrength is expected, the proposed values are conservative. However, additional research and parametric studies are needed to propose the modifications.     

组合墙结构房屋抗震性能的振动台试验研究

通过三个组合墙模型房屋的振动台试验，分析了组合墙结构体系房屋的动力性能和抗震能力，比较了底一层和底两层框架组合墙房屋和普通组合墙房屋的抗震性能。结果表明，八层组合墙房屋的抗震能力远远超过设计能力，可用于八度地区，底框架组合墙房屋的抗震性能优于普通组合墙房屋，底两层框架组合墙房屋也优于底一层框架组合墙房屋。     

Comparison of adaptive structural damage identification techniques in nonlinear hysteretic vibration isolation systems

Early structural damage identification to obtain an accurate condition assessment can assist in the reprioritization of structural retrofitting schedules in order to guarantee structural safety. Nowadays, seismic isolation technology has been applied in a wide variety of infrastructure, such as buildings, bridges, etc., and the health conditions of these nonlinear hysteretic vibration isolation systems have received considerable attention. To effectively detect structural damage in vibration isolation systems based on vibration data, three time-domain analysis techniques, referred to as the adaptive extended Kalman filter （AEKF）, adaptive sequential nonlinear least-square estimation （ASNLSE） and adaptive quadratic sum-sqnares error （AQSSE）, have been investigated. In this research, these analysis techniques are compared in terms of accuracy, convergence and efficiency, for structural damage detection using experimental data obtained through a series of laboratory tests based on a base-isolated structural model subjected to E1 Centro and Kobe earthquake excitations. The capability of the AEKF, ASNLSE and AQSSE approaches in tracking structural damage is demonstrated and compared.     

Seismic vulnerability assessment of a mixed masonry–RC building aggregate by linear and nonlinear analyses

From the beginning of the twentieth century, and due to the rapid increase of reinforced concrete (RC) usage, mixed masonry–RC buildings have emerged. In Lisbon, Portugal, old mixed masonry–RC buildings appeared between 1920 and 1960, representing the transition period between masonry and proper RC. These buildings are often integrated in blocks, and frequently share the side-walls, implying, thus, the need to assess the seismic vulnerability of building aggregates. The present paper approaches the seismic vulnerability assessment of a specific type of old mixed masonry–RC buildings in Lisbon. The study comprises the analysis of a building, both as an isolated structure and inserted in its aggregate, using two approaches: (1) linear dynamic analysis with SAP2000 and (2) nonlinear static analysis by means of 3Muri/Tremuri software. A comparison of both approaches derives a good matching between the obtained results. However, a nonlinear analysis is required to identify, in an adequate manner, the critical areas of the structure requiring strengthening.     

青海省共和地区农村民居特征与抗震性能分析

青海省共和地区位于柴达木—阿尔金地震带内,具备发生中强地震的构造背景,近年来该地区地震活动频繁,农村地区受经济和技术等条件的限制,造成了巨大的人员伤亡和经济损失.为深入了解共和地区农村民居结构特征与抗震性能现状,开展实地调查,基于历史震害资料,总结区域内典型农村民居震害特点,并进行震害预测,得到不同地震烈度下农村民居不...     

A fuzzy–random analysis model for seismic performance of framed structures incorporating structural and non‐structural damage

Past earthquake experiences indicate that most buildings designed in accordance with modern seismic design codes could survive moderate‐to‐strong earthquakes; however, the financial loss due to repairing cost and the subsequent business interruption can be unacceptable. Designing building structures to meet desired performance targets has become a clear direction in future seismic design practice. As a matter of fact, the performance of buildings is affected by structural as well as non‐structural components, and involves numerous uncertainties. Therefore, appropriate probabilistic approach taking into account structural and non‐structural damages is required. This paper presents a fuzzy–random model for the performance reliability analysis of RC framed structures considering both structural and non‐structural damages. The limit state for each performance level is defined as an interval of inter‐storey drift ratios concerning, respectively, the non‐structural and structural damage with a membership function, while the relative importance of the two aspects is reflected through the use of an appropriate cost function. To illustrate the methodology, herein the non‐structural damage is represented by infill masonry walls. The probabilistic drift limits for RC components and masonry walls from the associated studies are employed to facilitate the demonstration of the proposed model in an example case study. The results are compared with those obtained using classical reliability model based on single‐threshold performance definition. The proposed model provides a good basis for incorporating different aspects into the performance assessment of a building system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

汉中农村既有砌体房屋抗震加固技术研究

基于对汉中农村既有砌体房屋现状的调查了解,分析了汉中农村既有砌体房屋的建筑方式、建筑材料、建筑地段、灾后是否重建或修缮和房屋抗震设防状况等情况;查阅文献并检索出最新的提高农村砌体房屋抗震性能的四种抗震加固方法,比较这些加固方法的相关性能,从中优选出适合汉中农村既有砌体房屋现状、危险性等级、排危加固方法和加固目的的高性能水泥复合砂浆钢筋网加固法,并对如何提高农村新建砌体房屋的抗震性能给出了建议。     

Seismic behaviour of masonry buildings built of low compressive strength units

Seismic behaviour of masonry buildings, built of low compressive strength units, is discussed. Although such materials have already been tested and approved for use from mechanical and thermal insulation point of view, the knowledge regarding their structural behaviour is still lacking. In order to investigate the resistance and deformation capacity of this particular type of masonry construction in seismic conditions, a series of eight walls and model of a two-storey full scale confined masonry building have been tested by subjecting the specimens to cyclic shear loads. All tests were conducted under a combination of constant vertical load and quasi static, cyclically imposed horizontal load. The behaviour of tested specimens was of typical shear type. Compared with the behaviour of plain masonry walls, the presence of tie-columns resulted into higher resistance and displacement capacity, as well as smaller lateral resistance degradation. The response of the model was determined by storey mechanism with predominant shear behaviour of the walls and failure mechanism of the same type as in the case of individual confined masonry walls. Adequate seismic behaviour of this particular masonry structural type can be expected under the condition that the buildings are built as confined masonry system with limited number of stories.     

Quantification of fundamental frequency drop for unreinforced masonry buildings from dynamic tests

The knowledge of fundamental frequency and damping ratio of structures is of uppermost importance in earthquake engineering, especially to estimate the seismic demand. However, elastic and plastic frequency drops and damping variations make their estimation complex. This study quantifies and models the relative frequency drop affecting low‐rise modern masonry buildings and discusses the damping variations based on two experimental data sets: Pseudo‐dynamic tests at ELSA laboratory in the frame of the ESECMaSE project and in situ forced vibration tests by EMPA and EPFL. The relative structural frequency drop is shown to depend mainly on shaking amplitude, whereas the damping ratio variations could not be explained by the shaking amplitude only. Therefore, the absolute frequency value depends mostly on the frequency at low amplitude level, the amplitude of shaking and the construction material. The decrease in shape does not vary significantly with increasing damage. Hence, this study makes a link between structural dynamic properties, either under ambient vibrations or under strong motions, for low‐rise modern masonry buildings. A value of 2/3 of the ambient vibration frequency is found to be relevant for the earthquake engineering assessment for this building type. However, the effect of soil–structure interaction that is shown to also affect these parameters has to be taken into account. Therefore, an analytical methodology is proposed to derive first the fixed‐base frequency before using these results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.