Fragility functions and floor spectra of RC masonry infilled frames: influence of mechanical properties of masonry infills

A wide number of experimental studies conducted in latest years pointed out the high influence of the mechanical properties of masonry units and mortar bed joints on lateral strength and stiffness of masonry panels. This feature significantly modifies the global response of infilled frames under seismic actions as well as the local interaction phenomena. Despite a wide investigation on the influence of the infills on global behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) frames has already been provided, different features characterizing the seismic performances of buildings suggest the need of accurately evaluating local interaction phenomena as well as the influence of the panel on specific and relevant aspects, as the accelerations transferred to non-structural components. This study provides a parametrical analysis of the influence of shear strength and elastic modulus of masonry infills on the seismic behaviour of RC frames originally designed for gravity loads. Regular buildings with different height were analysed using the Incremental Dynamic Analysis in order to provide fragility curves, investigate on the collapse mechanisms and define the floor spectra depending on the properties of the infills. Results obtained pointed out the high influence of the considered parameters on the fragility of existing RC frames, often characterized by inadequate transversal reinforcement of columns, which may lead to brittle failure due to the interaction with the infills. Floor response spectra are also significantly affected by the influence of masonry infills both in terms of shape and maximum spectral accelerations. Lastly, on the basis of the observed failure mechanisms, a parameter defining the ductility of the frames depending on the properties of the infills was also provided (Capacity Design Factor). The correlation between the mechanical properties of the infills and this parameter suggests its reliability in the simplified vulnerability analysis of existing buildings as well as for the design of new buildings.     

Masonry infill walls in reinforced concrete frames as a source of structural damping

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the determination of damping characteristics of bare, masonry infilled, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer retrofitted infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames. It is well known that the masonry infills are used as partitioning walls having significant effect on the damping characteristics of structures as well as contribution to the lateral stiffness and strength. The main portion of the input energy imparted to the structure during earthquakes is dissipated through hysteretic and damping energies. The equivalent damping definition is used to reflect various damping mechanisms globally. In this study, the equivalent damping ratio of carbon fiber reinforced polymer retrofitted infilled RC systems is quantified through a series of 1/3‐scaled, one‐bay, one‐story frames. Quasi‐static tests are carried out on eight specimens with two different loading patterns: one‐cycled and three‐cycled displacement histories and the pseudo‐dynamic tests performed on eight specimens for selected acceleration record scaled at three different PGA levels with two inertia mass conditions. The results of the experimental studies are evaluated in two phases: (i) equivalent damping is determined for experimentally obtained cycles from quasi‐static and pseudo‐dynamic tests; and (ii) an iterative procedure is developed on the basis of the energy balance formulation to determine the equivalent damping ratio. On the basis of the results of these evaluations, equivalent damping of levels of 5%, 12%, and 14% can be used for bare, infilled, and retrofitted infilled RC frames, respectively. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic retrofit of reinforced concrete frames using buckling‐restrained braces with bearing block load transfer mechanism

A new method of retrofitting reinforced concrete (RC) frames with buckling‐restrained braces (BRBs) to improve frame strength, stiffness and energy dissipation is proposed. Instead of typical post‐installed anchors, load is transferred between the BRB and RC frame through compression bearing between an installed steel frame connected to the BRB, and high‐strength mortar blocks constructed at the four corners of the RC frame. This avoids complex on‐site anchor installation, and does not limit the allowable brace force by the anchor strength. Cyclic displacements of increasing amplitudes were imposed on two RC frame specimens retrofitted with different BRB strength capacities. In one of the frames, the bearing blocks were reinforced with wire mesh to mitigate cracking. A third RC frame was also tested as a benchmark to evaluate the retrofit strength and stiffness enhancements. Test results indicate that the proposed method efficiently transferred loads between the BRBs and RC frames, increasing the frame lateral strength while achieving good ductility and energy‐dissipating capacity. When the bearing block was reinforced with wire mesh, the maximum frame lateral strength and stiffness were more than 2.2 and 3.5 times the RC frame without the BRB respectively. The BRB imposes additional shear demands through the bearing blocks to both ends of the RC beam and column member discontinuity regions (D‐regions). The softened strut‐and‐tie model satisfactorily estimated the shear capacities of the D‐regions. A simplified calculation and a detailed PISA3D analysis were shown to effectively predict member demands to within 13.8% difference of the measured test results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

C F RP加固震损钢筋混凝土框架结构的抗整体性倒塌能力分析

首先介绍了CFRP加固受损钢筋混凝土柱的数值模拟方法,通过OpenSees软件进行了建模分析,数值模拟结果与试验结果的对比验证了该数值模型的有效性;其次,对一6层钢筋混凝土框架以受极罕遇地震影响进行预损,采用损伤指数和折减系数的方法建立震损钢筋混凝土框架的分析模型,并选择5种不同的CFRP加固方案对其进行加固;最后,对CFRP加固的震损RC框架进行增量动力分析。定量的评价了CFRP加固震损RC框架的抗整体性倒塌能力和抗倒塌安全储备。结果表明:CFRP加固能有效提高震损钢筋混凝土框架结构的抗震性能。加固部位的选择对加固效果的影响很大,在所选用的5种CFRP加固方案中,对底层及第2层的梁柱进行加固的方案对提高震损钢筋混凝土框架的抗整体性倒塌能力效果最佳。     

基于OpenSees的防屈曲支撑加固钢筋混凝土框架数值模拟

提出了一种既有钢筋混凝土框架结构的抗震加固方法,该法采用防屈曲支撑提高框架结构体系的水平承载力和耗能能力,利用外包钢进一步提高柱子的抗弯和抗剪承载力。采用开源有限元程序OpenSees,分别建立空钢筋混凝土框架和防屈曲支撑加固钢筋混凝土框架的分析模型,对2榀钢筋混凝土框架的抗震性能进行模拟。防屈曲支撑采用了弹塑性桁架单元模型,加固框架柱混凝土考虑了外包钢的约束作用。将分析结果与拟静力试验结果进行比较,以检验分析模型的准确性,以及研究防屈曲支撑和外包钢对混凝土框架抗震性能的影响。分析结果表明,数值模拟与试验结果吻合较好,验证了基于OpenSees建立的数值模型的准确性;外包钢有效改善了框架柱的抗弯承载力和变形能力;防屈曲支撑显著提高了加固框架体系的水平刚度、水平承载力和耗能能力。     

Cyclic response of masonry infilled RC frames: Experimental results and simplified modeling

The recent large interest in nonlinear seismic analysis methods, static and dynamic, has required proper strategies of modeling based on reliable, and at the same time easy to use, constitutive laws for the structural elements. Regarding the behavior of framed structures, special attention has to be devoted to infills because of the key role they play in modifying overall stiffness, strength and ductility under seismic excitation. Pointing out the attention on this topic the paper discusses a criteria for modeling the structural behavior of infills based on a macromodeling approach, that is to say on the substitution of infills with diagonal pin jointed struts. Is here shown how multilinear plastic link elements governed by a hysteretic Pivot model, available in different FEM codes, can be appropriately used to model the equivalent struts to perform linear or nonlinear analyses. In order to enlarge experimental knowledge on cyclic behavior of infilled frames structures and as reference for developing the above mentioned modeling strategy, an experimental campaign on single-storey, single-bay, fully infilled frames with different kinds of masonry and subjected to lateral cyclical loads, was carried out, and some others available in the literature are referred to. Validation of Pivot modeling approach was carried out comparing experimental results and computer simulations of the experimental tests. In the paper hysteresis parameters values calibrating Pivot law are also given for involved masonry infills typologies and some proposals for correlation between strength and stiffness of infilled frames and of masonry infills are provided as a tool for the quick calibration of the Pivot model in practical applications.     

Effect of masonry infills on seismic performance of a 3‐storey R/C frame with non‐seismic detailing

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of masonry infills on the seismic performance of low‐rise reinforced concrete (RC) frames with non‐seismic detailing. For this purpose, a 2‐bay 3‐storey masonry‐infilled RC frame was selected and a 1 : 5 scale model was constructed according to the Korean practice of non‐seismic detailing and the similitude law. Then, a series of earthquake simulation tests and a pushover test were performed on this model. When the results of these tests are compared with those in the case of the bare frame, it can be recognized that the masonry infills contribute to the large increase in the stiffness and strength of the global structure whereas they also accompany the increase of earthquake inertia forces. The failure mode of the masonry‐infilled frame was that of shear failure due to the bed‐joint sliding of the masonry infills while that of the bare frame appeared to be the soft‐storey plastic mechanism at the first storey. However, it is judged that the masonry infills can be beneficial to the seismic performance of the structure since the amount of the increase in strength appears to be greater than that in the induced earthquake inertia forces while the deformation capacity of the global structure remains almost the same regardless of the presence of the masonry infills. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of URM infills on seismic vulnerability of Indian code designed RC frame buildings

Unreinforced Masonry(URM) is the most common partitioning material in framed buildings in India and many other countries.Although it is well-known that under lateral loading the behavior and modes of failure of the frame buildings change significantly due to infill-frame interaction,the general design practice is to treat infills as nonstructural elements and their stiffness,strength and interaction with the frame is often ignored,primarily because of difficulties in simulation and lack of modeling guidelines in design codes.The Indian Standard,like many other national codes,does not provide explicit insight into the anticipated performance and associated vulnerability of infilled frames.This paper presents an analytical study on the seismic performance and fragility analysis of Indian code-designed RC frame buildings with and without URM infills.Infills are modeled as diagonal struts as per ASCE 41 guidelines and various modes of failure are considered.HAZUS methodology along with nonlinear static analysis is used to compare the seismic vulnerability of bare and infilled frames.The comparative study suggests that URM infills result in a significant increase in the seismic vulnerability of RC frames and their effect needs to be properly incorporated in design codes.     

Strength and stiffness reduction factors for infilled frames with openings

Framed structures are usually infilled with masonry walls. They may cause a significant increase in both stiffness and strength, reducing the deformation demand and increasing the energy dissipation capacity of the system. On the other hand, irregular arrangements of the masonry panels may lead to the concentration of damage in some regions, with negative effects; for example soft story mechanisms and shear failures in short columns. Therefore, the presence of infill walls should not be neglected, especially in regions of moderate and high seismicity. To this aim, simple models are available for solid infills walls, such as the diagonal no-tension strut model, while infilled frames with openings have not been adequately investigated. In this study, the effect of openings on the strength and stiffness of infilled frames is investigated by means of about 150 experimental and numerical tests. The main parameters involved are identified and a simple model to take into account the openings in the infills is developed and compared with other models proposed by different researchers. The model, which is based on the use of strength and stiffness reduction factors, takes into account the opening dimensions and presence of reinforcing elements around the opening. An example of an application of the proposed reduction factors is also presented.     

An effective simplified model of composite compression struts for partially-restrained steel frame with reinforced concrete infill walls

To resolve the issue regarding inaccurate prediction of the hysteretic behavior by micro-based numerical analysis for partially-restrained(PR)steel frames with solid reinforced concrete(RC)infill walls,an innovative simplified model of composite compression struts is proposed on the basis of experimental observation on the cracking distribution,load transferring mechanism,and failure modes of RC infill walls filled in PR steel frame.The proposed composite compression struts model for the solid RC infill walls is composed ofαinclined struts and main diagonal struts.Theαinclined struts are used to reflect the part of the lateral force resisted by shear connectors along the frame-wall interface,while the main diagonal struts are introduced to take into account the rest of the lateral force transferred along the diagonal direction due to the complicated interaction between the steel frame and RC infill walls.This study derives appropriate formulas for the effective widths of theαinclined strut and main diagonal strut,respectively.An example of PR steel frame with RC infill walls simulating simulated by the composite inclined compression struts model is illustrated.The maximum lateral strength and the hysteresis curve shape obtained from the proposed composite strut model are in good agreement with those from the test results,and the backbone curve of a PR steel frame with RC infill walls can be predicted precisely when the inter-story drift is within 1%.This simplified model can also predict the structural stiffness and the equivalent viscous damping ratio well when the inter-story drift ratio exceeds 0.5%.     

碳纤维加固严重破坏砌体墙的试验研究

为研究碳纤维布加固严重破坏砌体墙的有效性,开展了4片严重破坏墙体的碳纤维布加固试验,研究了试件在低周反复荷载作用下的试验性能,考查了其破坏形态和破坏特征,对比分析了墙体的承载力、延性和耗能能力等性能。研究表明:采用粘贴碳纤维布加固严重破坏墙体的方法是可行且有效的;加固后墙体的抗剪承载力、变形性能都较原墙墙体有明显提高;碳纤维布布置方法不同,对墙体的约束效果不同;碳纤维布破坏时其应变远小于其极限抗拉应变,建议碳纤维布加固严重破坏墙体时无须使用高强度的碳纤维布。     

Seismic response of a case study soft story frame retrofitted using a GIB system

This paper presents results from a numerical investigation into the seismic retrofit of a soft story frame using a novel gapped‐inclined brace (GIB) system. The GIB system consists of a pinned brace and a gap element that is added to the first story columns of the frame. The inclusion of GIB elements in addition to increasing the lateral capacity of columns at the first story increases the post‐yield stiffness ratio of the system and reduces the P‐delta effects on the columns, while not increasing the first story lateral resistance or stiffness. This allows for the isolating benefits of the soft story to protect the upper floors of the structure from damage while avoiding excessive deformations and reducing the propensity for collapse. A six‐story RC frame with masonry infills on all floors except for the first floor is studied. The dynamic response of the retrofitted building using the GIB system is investigated numerically and is compared with the response of the original un‐retrofitted building and the same building in which masonry infills are added to the first story to mitigate the soft story response. Results from the nonlinear time‐history analyses indicate that the GIB system could provide a reliable seismic retrofit mechanism for soft story buildings, which greatly reduces the likelihood of collapse by increasing the displacement capacity of the soft storey and by reducing P‐delta effects, while minimizing the overall damage and losses in the building by taking advantages of the isolation that is provided by the soft story to the rest of the structure located above. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical evaluation of seismic response of soft-story RC frames retrofitted with passive devices

This study presents a nonlinear modelling technique for reinforced concrete (RC) frames retrofitted with metallic yielding devices to predict the seismic response using a computer software OpenSees. The numerical model considers the axial–flexure interaction, shear force–displacement response and the bond-slip characteristics of the frame members. The predicted hysteretic response has been compared with the results of slow-cyclic testing. The validated numerical model is then used to predict the seismic response of a five-story RC frame with soft-story. Nonlinear cyclic pushover and dynamic analyses are conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed retrofitting scheme in enhancing the lateral strength and energy dissipation potential and in controlling the premature failure of the study frame. Analysis results showed significant improvement in the seismic response of RC frames with soft-story using the proposed retrofitting technique.     

CFRP布约束增强高强混凝土柱抗震性能数值分析

采用地震工程开源模拟软件OpenSees（Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation）对CFRP（Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer,碳纤维增强复合材料）布加固高强钢筋混凝土方柱的抗震性能进行了数值分析。采用Steel02Material和Concrete02Material材料本构模型模拟了CFRP布加固高强混凝土方柱的抗震性能;在此基础上,进一步研究了轴压比和剪跨比这2个因素对试件抗震性能的影响。将所得数值分析结果与相同条件下的试验结果对比后发现：基于Steel02 Material和Concrete02 Material材料本构,利用OpenSees,可以较好地模拟CFRP布加固高强混凝土方柱的抗震性能,并且与试验结果（滞回曲线、骨架曲线、水平承载力和位移延性系数）能够较好地吻合,从而说明该数值分析方法还可以准确地反映出轴压比和剪跨比对高强混凝土柱抗震性能的影响规律。     

Seismic retrofitting of reinforced concrete frame structures using GFRP-tube-confined-concrete composite braces

This paper presents a new type of structural bracing intended for seismic retrofitting use in framed structures. This special composite brace,termed glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer(GFRP)-tube-confined-concrete composite brace,is comprised of concrete confined by a GFRP tube and an inner steel core for energy dissipation.Together with a contribution from the GFRP-tube confined concrete,the composite brace shows a substantially increased stiffness to control story drift, which is often a preferred feature in seismic retrofitting.An analysis model is established and implemented in a general finite element analysis program-OpenSees,for simulating the load-displacement behavior of the composite brace.Using this model,a parametric study of the hysteretic behavior(energy dissipation,stiffness,ductility and strength)of the composite brace was conducted under static cyclic loading and it was found that the area ratio of steel core to concrete has the greatest influence among all the parameters considered.To demonstrate the application of the composite brace in seismic retrofitting, a three-story nonductile reinforced concrete(RC)frame structure was retrofitted with the composite braces.Pushover analysis and nonlinear time-history analyses of the retrofitted RC frame structure was performed by employing a suite of 20 strong ground motion earthquake records.The analysis results show that the composite braces can effectively reduce the peak seismic responses of the RC frame structure without significantly increasing the base shear demand.     

Nonlinear pushover analysis of infilled concrete frames

Six reinforced concrete frames with or without masonry infills were constructed and tested under horizontal cyclic loads. All six frames had identical details in which the transverse reinforcement in columns was provided by rectangular hoops that did not meet current ACI specifications for ductile frames. For comparison purposes, the columns in three of these frames were jacketed by carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer （CFRP） sheets to avoid possible shear failure. A nonlinear pushover analysis, in which the force-deformation relationships of individual elements were developed based on ACI 318, FEMA 356, and Chen＇s model, was carried out for these frames and compared to test results. Both the failure mechanisms and impact of infills on the behaviors of these frames were examined in the study. Conclusions from the present analysis provide structural engineers with valuable information for evaluation and design of infilled concrete frame building structures.     

再生混凝土框架抗震性能试验研究

通过2榀再生骨料掺量分别为25%、50%的再生混凝土框架和1榀普通对比混凝土框架的低周反复加载试验,研究了再生混凝土框架的受力全过程、开裂荷载和极限承载力、破坏形态,分析了再生混凝土框架的滞回曲线、骨架曲线、变形性能、耗能能力等抗震性能,并和普通混凝土框架进行了对比分析。研究结果表明,随着再生骨料掺量的增加,再生混凝土框架的极限承载力、变形能力、耗能能力等抗震性能没有明显降低,再生混凝土框架具有较好的抗震性能,再生混凝土框架应用于实际工程是可行的。文中研究成果可为再生混凝土框架结构的工程应用提供依据。     

Static vulnerability of an existing r.c. structure and seismic retrofitting by CFRP and base-isolation: A case study

The assessment of the static vulnerability under gravity loads of existing reinforced concrete (r.c.) framed buildings is a serious problem that requires the use of reliable methodologies to evaluate ductile and brittle mechanisms. The present work compares alternative formulations of member chord rotation and section and joint shear strength, proposed by Italian and European seismic codes and guidelines and other expressions available in the scientific literature. To this end, a r.c. framed building built sixty years ago with bi-directional (perimeter) and mono-directional (interior) plane frames, originally designed for five storeys then elevated to six during construction, is studied. A full characterization of the structure and its materials is carried out by means of destructive and non-destructive methods. Then, retrofitting based on the use of both innovative material, such as carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP), and technology, such as base-isolation, are adopted to improve the static and seismic performances of the original structure. Finally, nonlinear analyses are carried out on a three-dimensional fibre model of the original and retrofitted structures, where an elastic linear law idealizes the behaviour of the CFRP up to tension failure and viscoelastic linear and bilinear models are used to idealize the behaviour of the elastomeric and sliding bearings, respectively.     

Shake table tests on RC frame infilled by slitted masonry panels

Unreinforced masonry infill walls are widely used as non-structural partitions in RC frames. The effects of infills on the structural responses are often ignored in the design process since they are generally considered as expendable elements. However, recent studies have shown that not only shear damage can be inflicted to the columns braced by the infill walls, but also that the structural stability can be jeopardised by the fall-off of the infills. This paper presents the development of new detailing methods for the infill walls, which features slit panels, isolation gaps between the infills and columns, and anchorage of the infills. The proposed detailing methods were tested and verified experimentally using shake-table tests on five 1/3-scale infilled RC frame specimens with different combinations of the features stated above. The design and construction of the shake-table test specimens have taken into account the similitude requirements. The test results indicate that the proposed detailing method effectively reduced the undesirable interaction between column and infill walls. And the use of proper anchorage could prevent the fall off of infills from the bounding frame. Furthermore, the specimens with slit infill walls displayed better seismic performances, which could be attributed to the rocking behaviour of the sub-panels with increased aspect ratios.     

钢筋混凝土圆截面桥墩抗震加固方式对比分析

为研究不同加固方式对钢筋混凝土(RC)圆截面桥墩抗震性能的影响,利用OpenSees有限元软件建立了普通RC桥墩以及分别采用钢套管、碳纤维增强聚合物(CFRP)、体外预应力筋进行加固的桥墩数值分析模型,对模型输入远断层地震动,进行增量动力分析。以墩顶峰值位移角与震后残余位移角为指标,对比分析了桥墩加固前后的地震响应。结果表明:采用钢套管、体外预应力筋和CFRP加固后,RC桥墩的峰值位移与震后残余位移均减小,钢套管加固方式对桥墩峰值位移的降低幅度最大,体外预应力筋加固方式对抑制桥墩震后残余位移的效果最好;随着剪跨比的增大,3种加固方式对桥墩在地震动作用下位移响应的抑制作用均逐步减小;随着轴压比的增大,3种加固方式对RC桥墩峰值位移的抑制作用逐步降低。