Small centres damaged by 2009 L’Aquila earthquake: on site analyses of historical masonry aggregates

This paper is focused on the illustration of on site works developed on some historical centres struck by L’Aquila earthquake of April 6, 2009 starting from the first emergency phase. The large number of minor historical centres damaged and the highly differentiated level of damage occurred implied the need of different procedures to study them. The common goal of all these studies is to illustrate the variability of the seismic response of historical masonry buildings trying to identify both the causes that have increased the damage (vulnerabilities) and the factors that have limited or prevented it (strengths). The preliminary results allow to formulate a first evaluation in view of drawing up reconstruction plans.     

Local variability of the ground shaking during the 2009 L��Aquila earthquake (April 6, 2009��Mw 6.3): the case study of Onna and Monticchio villages

The 2009 Mw 6.3 L’Aquila event caused extensive damage in the city of L’Aquila and in some small towns in its vicinity. The most severe damage was recognized SE of L’Aquila town along the Aterno river valley. Although building vulnerability and near-source effects are strongly responsible for the high level of destruction, site effects have been invoked to explain the damage heterogeneities and the similarities between the 2009 macroseismic field with the intensities of historical earthquakes. The small village of Onna is settled on quaternary alluvium and suffered during the L’Aquila event an extremely heavy damage in the masonry structures with intensity IX–X on the Mercalli-Cancani-Sieberg (MCS) scale. The village of Monticchio, far less than 1.3 km from Onna, is mostly situated on Mesozoic limestone and suffered a smaller level of damaging (VI MCS). In the present paper, we analyze the aftershock recordings at seismic stations deployed in a small area of the middle-Aterno valley including Onna and Monticchio. The aim is to investigate local amplification effects caused by the near-surface geology. Because the seismological stations are close together, vulnerability and near-source effects are assumed to be constant. The waveform analysis shows that the ground motion at Onna is systematically characterized by large high-frequency content. The frequency resonance is varying from 2 to 3 Hz and it is related to alluvial sediments with a thickness of about 40 m that overlay a stiffer Pleistocene substrate. The ground motion recordings of Onna are well reproduced by the predictive equation for the Italian territory.     

不同烈度区农村自建砖砌体房屋震害特征研究

农村自建砖砌体房屋通常没有正规的设计和施工导致该类房屋抗震性能较差。文中以汶川8.0级地震为例,在不同烈度区选择具有代表性地区的农村自建砖砌体房屋为研究对象,分析了该类型房屋不同烈度区的震害特征。通过使用数量化术语的震害描述,对在不同烈度区的农村自建砖砌体房屋的墙体、楼板屋盖、附属结构的破坏进行了震害分析,得到了地震作用下仅考虑结构振动破坏时该类型房屋的破坏特征。最后也给出了降低农村自建砖砌体房屋震害的一些建议。     

Analysis of the liquefaction phenomena in the village of Vittorito (L��Aquila)

This paper describes a case-history of liquefaction occurred near the village of Vittorito after the April 6, 2009 L’Aquila earthquake (moment magnitude M_w = 6.3), approximately 45 km far from the epicentre. In the document, first, an estimation of the seismic motion in the area has been made. Thereafter, the performed geotechnical investigation is described, followed by the application of some fast assessment criteria for the occurrence of liquefaction, recently proposed by the new Italian Building Code. A careful assessment of all the parameters involved in conventional Seed and Idriss (1971) liquefaction analyses is considered. The cyclic resistance ratio CRR is evaluated by cone penetration tests CPT and by in situ seismic dilatometer tests SMDT; in the latter case CRR is evaluated by different empirical correlations with shear wave velocity V_s and horizontal stress index K_D. Analytical data confirmed the observed occurrence of the liquefaction in Vittorito, even if the acceleration field in the area, produced by the L’Aquila earthquake, was very low.     

6th April 2009 L��Aquila earthquake, Italy: reinforced concrete building performance

On 6th April 2009 an earthquake of magnitude M _w =  6.3 occurred in the Abruzzo region; the epicentre was very close to the city of L’Aquila (about 6 km away). The event produced casualties and damage to buildings, lifelines and other infrastructures. An analysis of the main damage that reinforced concrete (RC) structures showed after the event is presented in this study. In order to isolate the main causes of structural and non-structural damage, the seismological characteristics of the event are examined, followed by an analysis of the existing RC building stock in the area. The latter issue came under scrutiny after the release of official data about structural types and times of construction, combined with a detailed review of the most important seismic codes in force in the last 100 years in Italy. Comparison of the current design provisions of the Italian and European codes with previous standards allows the main weaknesses of the existing building stock to be determined. Damage to structural and non-structural elements is finally analyzed thanks to photographic material collected in the first week after the event; the main causes of damage are then inferred.     

Predicted ground motion after the L��Aquila 2009 earthquake (Italy, M w 6.3): input spectra for seismic microzoning

After the April 6th 2009 L’Aquila earthquake (M _w 6.3), where 306 people died and a further 60,000 were displaced, seismic microzoning investigations have been carried out for towns affected by a macroseismic intensity equal to or greater than 7 MCS. Based upon seismotectonic data, historical seismicity and strong motion records, we defined input spectra to be used in the numerical simulations of seismic microzoning in four key municipalities, including the town of L’Aquila. We adopted two main approaches: uniform hazard response spectra are obtained by a probabilistic seismic hazard assessment introducing some time-dependency for individual faults on the study area; a deterministic design spectrum is computed from magnitude/distance pairs extracted by a stationary probabilistic analysis of historical intensities. The uniform hazard spectrum of the present Italian building code represents the third, less restrictive, response spectrum to be used for the numerical simulations in seismic microzoning. Strong motions recordings of the main shock of the L’Aquila sequence enlighten the critical role played by both the local response and distances metric for sites located above a seismogenic fault; however, these time-histories are compatible with the uncertainties of a deterministic utilization of ground motion predictive equations. As recordings at very near field are rare, they cannot be neglected while defining the seismic input. Disaggregation on the non-Possonian seismotectonic analysis and on the stationary site-intensity estimates reach very similar results in magnitude-distance pairs identification; we interpret this convergence as a validation of the geology-based model by historical observations.     

Seismic collapse simulation of existing masonry buildings with different retrofitting techniques

Masonry buildings are primarily constructed out of bricks and mortar which become discrete pieces and cannot sustain horizontal forces created by a strong earthquake.The collapse of masonry walls may cause significant human casualties and economic losses.To maintain their integrity,several methods have been developed to retrofit existing masonry buildings,such as the constructional RC frame which has been extensively used in China.In this study,a new method using precast steel reinforced concrete(PSRC)panels is developed.To demonstrate its effectiveness,numerical studies are conducted to investigate and compare the collapse behavior of a structure without retrofitting,retrofitted with a constructional RC frame,and retrofitted with external PSRC walls(PSRCW).Sophisticated finite element models(FEM)were developed and nonlinear time history analyses were carried out.The results show that the existing masonry building is severely damaged under occasional earthquakes,and totally collapsed under rare earthquakes.Both retrofitting techniques improve the seismic performance of existing masonry buildings.However,it is found that several occasional earthquakes caused collapse or partial collapse of the building retrofitted with the constructional RC frame,while the one retrofitted by the proposed PSRC wall system survives even under rare earthquakes.The effectiveness of the proposed retrofitting method on existing masonry buildings is thus fully demonstrated.     

新疆塔什库尔干5.5级地震建筑结构震害

2017年5月11日新疆塔什库尔干5.5级地震给震区建筑结构造成了不同程度破坏。选择震区钢筋混凝土（RC）框架结构、砖混结构以及土石木结构等3类典型建筑结构,介绍了各类建筑结构地震破坏特点,分析了震害特征与破坏机理。结果表明:RC框架结构在地震中表现出了优异的抗震性能,即使在震中区,破坏也仅仅表现为非结构性破坏,如填充墙开裂和吊顶脱落等;砖混结构绝大多数抗震性能优良,仅震中区的少数建筑物发生了承重墙墙体开裂情况;土石木结构房屋抗震性能最差,地震破坏最为严重,是导致该次地震人员伤亡主要原因。建议地震高烈度设防区房屋建筑应采用抗震性能较好的RC框架结构和砖混结构,而抗震性能差的土石木建筑房屋应尽量避免继续建设和使用。结果可供类似地区房屋建设和建筑结构抗震设计等工作参考。     

震后严重破损砌体窗间墙快速修复方法

为解决强震后严重受损砌体窗间墙难以快速修复问题,提出一种承压抗剪型金属阻尼器替代墙肢的修复方法.根据窗间墙受损特征,数值建模设计与其受力特性吻合的阻尼器,选取多层砌体墙受损模型分别进行修复前后的拟静力对比试验,分析两模型的破坏特征、滞回特性、刚度退化规律、耗能与变形特征等抗震性能.研究结果表明:承压抗剪型阻尼器替换修复...     

Self-centering seismic retrofit scheme for reinforced concrete frame structures: SDOF system study

This paper presents the results of a parametric study of self-centering seismic retrofit schemes for reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings. The self-centering retrofit system features flag-shaped hysteresis and minimal residual deformation. For comparison purpose,an alternate seismic retrofit scheme that uses a bilinear-hysteresis retrofit system such as buckling-restrained braces (BRB) is also considered in this paper. The parametric study was carried out in a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system framework since a multi-story building structure may be idealized as an equivalent SDOF system and investigation of the performance of this equivalent SDOF system can provide insight into the seismic response of the multi-story building. A peak-oriented hysteresis model which can consider the strength and stiffness degradation is used to describe the hysteretic behavior of RC structures. The parametric study involves two key parameters -the strength ratio and elastic stiffness ratio between the seismic retrofit system and the original RC frame. An ensemble of 172 earthquake ground motion records scaled to the design basis earthquake in California with a probability of exceedance of 10% in 50 years was constructed for the simulation-based parametric study. The effectiveness of the two seismic retrofit schemes considered in this study is evaluated in terms of peak displacement ratio,peak acceleration ratio,energy dissipation demand ratio and residual displacement ratio between the SDOF systems with and without retrofit. It is found from this parametric study that RC structures retrofitted with the self-centering retrofit scheme (SCRS) can achieve a seismic performance level comparable to the bilinear-hysteresis retrofit scheme (BHRS) in terms of peak displacement and energy dissipation demand ratio while having negligible residual displacement after earthquake.     

Experimental study on a new type of earthquake resilient shear wall

Reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls have been extensively used as lateral load resisting structural members in tall buildings. However, in the past, strong earthquake events RC structural walls in some buildings suffered severe damage, which concentrated at the bottom and was very difficult to be repaired. The installation of the replaceable corner components (RCCs) at the bottom of the structural wall is a new method to form an earthquake resilient structural wall whose function can be quickly restored by replacing the RCCs after the strong earthquake because of the damage concentrating on RCCs. In this study, a new kind of replaceable energy‐dissipation component installed at the bottom corner of RC structural walls was proposed. To study the seismic performance of the new structural wall with RCCs, the cyclic loading tests on three new structural wall specimens and one conventional RC structural wall specimen were conducted. One of the new structural wall specimens experienced replacement and reloading process to verify the feasibility of replacement. The results show that the structural behavior of all specimens was flexure dominating. The damage in the new shear specimens mainly concentrated on RCCs. The replacement of RCCs can be implemented conveniently after the residual deformation occurred in the structure. Compared with the conventional structural wall specimen, the seismic performance of new structural wall specimens was improved significantly. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Performance evaluation of retrofitting strategies for non-seismically designed RC buildings using steel braces

Recent major earthquakes around the world have evidenced that research in earthquake engineering must be directed to the vulnerability assessment of existing constructions lacking appropriate seismic resisting characteristics. Their retrofit or replacement should be made in order to reduce vulnerability, and consequent risk, to currently accepted levels. In this work, the efficiency of ductile steel eccentrically-braced systems in the seismic retrofitting of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings is studied. The retrofit technique studied consists in a bracing system with an energy dissipation device, designed to dissipate energy by shear deformation. The numerical model was calibrated with cyclic test results on a full-scale structure. The models used for the RC frame and masonry represent their real behavior and influence in the global structural response. The steel bracing system was modeled with strut rigid elements. The model for the energy dissipater device reproduces rigorously the behavior of the shear-link observed in the cyclic tests, namely in terms of shear, drift and energy dissipation. With the calibrated numerical model, a series of non-linear dynamic analyses were performed, for different earthquake input motions, intending to study: the influence of the retrofitting system in the response of bare and infilled structures; the influence of the location and strength of the retrofitting system.     

Study on the effect of the infill walls on the seismic performance of a reinforced concrete frame

Motivated by the seismic damage observed to reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures during the Wenchuan earthquake, the effect of infill walls on the seismic performance of a RC frame is studied in this paper. Infill walls, especially those made of masonry, offer some amount of stiffness and strength. Therefore, the effect of infill walls should be considered during the design of RC frames. In this study, an analysis of the recorded ground motion in the Wenchuan earthquake is performed. Then, a numerical model is developed to simulate the infill walls. Finally, nonlinear dynamic analysis is carried out on a RC frame with and without infill walls, respectively, by using CANNY software. Through a comparative analysis, the following conclusions can be drawn. The failure mode of the frame with infill walls is in accordance with the seismic damage failure pattern, which is strong beam and weak column mode. This indicates that the infill walls change the failure pattern of the frame, and it is necessary to consider them in the seismic design of the RC frame. The numerical model presented in this paper can effectively simulate the effect of infill walls on the RC frame.     

Revision of seismic design codes corresponding to building damagesin the “5.12” Wenchuan earthquake

A large number of buildings were seriously damaged or collapsed in the "5.12" Wenchuan earthquake. Based on field surveys and studies of damage to different types of buildings, seismic design codes have been updated. This paper briefly summarizes some of the major revisions that have been incorporated into the "Standard for classification of seismic protection of building constructions GB50223-2008" and "Code for Seismic Design of Buildings GB50011-2001." The definition of seismic fortification class for buildings has been revisited, and as a result, the seismic classifications for schools, hospitals and other buildings that hold large populations such as evacuation shelters and information centers have been upgraded in the GB50223-2008 Code. The main aspects of the revised GB50011-2001 code include: (a) modification of the seismic intensity specified for the Provinces of Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu; (b) basic conceptual design for retaining walls and building foundations in mountainous areas; (c) regularity of building configuration; (d) integration of masonry structures and precast RC floors; (e) requirements for calculating and detailing stair shafts; and (f) limiting the use of single-bay RC frame structures. Some significant examples of damage in the epicenter areas are provided as a reference in the discussion on the consequences of collapse, the importance of duplicate structural systems, and the integration of RC and masonry structures.     

砌体建筑抗震设计及加固新方法

介绍了美国砌体建筑物地震评估及加固方面的新发展,以及美国新近推荐采用的基于使用功能的砌体抗震规范,并与中国目前采用多的层砌体房屋的抗震设计规范作比较,指出出砌体抗震设计及加固中,提高它的塑性变形能力与提高它的强度同样重要。     

Study on evaluation of cities’ ability reducing earthquake disasters

Cities’ ability reducing earthquake disasters is a complex system involving numerous factors, moreover the research on evaluating cities’ ability reducing earthquake disasters relates to multi-subject, such as earthquake science, social science, economical science and so on. In this paper, firstly, the conception of cities’ ability reducing earthquake disasters is presented, and the ability could be evaluated with three basic elements — the possible seismic casualty and economic loss during the future earthquakes that are likely to occur in the city and its surroundings and time required for recovery after earthquake; based upon these three basic elements, a framework, which consists of six main components, for evaluating city’s ability reducing earthquake disasters is proposed; then the statistical relations between the index system and the ratio of seismic casualty, the ratio of economic loss and recovery time are gained utilizing the cities’ prediction results of earthquake disasters which were made during the ninth five-year plan; at last, the method defining the comprehensive index of cities’ ability reducing earthquake disasters is presented. Thus the relatively comprehensive theory frame is set up. The frame can evaluate cities’ ability reducing earthquake disasters absolutely and quantitatively and consequently instruct the decision-making on reducing cities’ earthquake disasters loss. Foundation item: State Important Research Project of China (95130603).     

Damage assessment of churches after L’Aquila earthquake (2009)

L’Aquila earthquake, which occurred on April 6, 2009, proved the high vulnerability of cultural heritage, with particular reference to churches. Damage assessment in the emergency was carried out on more than 700 churches with a methodology aimed at recognizing the collapse mechanisms in the different architectonic elements of the church. The method was developed after the earthquake in Umbria and the Marches (1997) and has been widely used in the last decade; this approach is also very useful for seismic prevention, as it allows one to single out the most vulnerable structures. Some examples are presented in this paper, representative of recurrent damage in the main elements of the church: the fa?ade, the roof, the apse and the belfry. It emerges that, for a correct interpretation of damage and vulnerability, it is necessary a deep knowledge of local construction techniques and of the historic transformation sequence. Moreover, the bad behaviour of churches strengthened by modern techniques, such as the substitution of original timber roofs with stiff and heavy r.c. slabs, was observed. Starting from the observation of some case studies, the paper achieves some worth results, which may be useful for correctly driving future strengthening interventions.     

填充墙RC框架结构加固方法的研究现状及展望

综述了用于提高填充墙钢筋混凝土(RC)框架结构抗震性能和改善结构损伤模式的几类加固措施,从工艺、加固效果和破坏形式3个角度进行了分析.在建筑结构设计过程中,填充墙通常被视为一种典型的脆性非均质非结构构件,忽视了填充墙与RC框架之间的相互作用.地震调查报告表明,在结构遭受地震作用时,填充墙通常先于钢筋混凝土框架发生破坏,...     

砌体填充墙框架结构抗震性能研究现状与展望

针对砌体填充墙框架结构在地震作用下的受力特点,分析了填充墙钢筋混凝土框架结构产生震害的主要原因。结合国内外砌体填充墙框架结构理论和试验研究成果,围绕填充墙的刚度退化规律和不同性能水平的层间位移角,评述了填充墙框架结构的研究现状。最后,结合基于性能的抗震设计理论背景和禁用黏土实心砖提倡节能的政策背景,指出了今后应以实现基于性能的抗震设计为目标,针对新型砌体填充墙框架结构开展系统研究。