Modified three‐dimensional seismic assessment method for buildings based on ambient vibration tests: extrapolation to higher shaking levels and measuring the dynamic amplification portion of natural torsion

This paper presents applications of the modified 3D‐SAM approach, a three‐dimensional seismic assessment methodology for buildings directly based on in situ experimental modal tests to calculate global seismic demands and the dynamic amplification portion of natural torsion. Considering that the building modal properties change from weak to strong motion levels, appropriate modification factors are proposed to extend the application of the method to stronger earthquakes. The proposed approach is consistent with the performance‐based seismic assessment approach, which entails the prediction of seismic displacements and drift ratios that are related to the damage condition and therefore the functionality of the building. The modified 3D‐SAM is especially practical for structures that are expected to experience slight to moderate damage levels and in particular for post‐disaster buildings that are expected to remain functional after an earthquake. In the last section of this paper, 16 low to mid‐rise irregular buildings located in Montreal, Canada, and that have been tested under ambient vibrations are analyzed with the method, and the dynamic amplification portion of natural torsion of the dataset is reported and discussed. The proposed methodology is appropriate for large‐scale assessments of existing buildings and is applicable to any seismic region of the world. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recent progress of seismic research on tall buildings in China Mainland

As a result of rapid economic growth and urbanization in the past two decades,many tall buildings have been constructed in China Mainland,offering researchers and practitioners an excellent opportunity for research and practice in the field of structural engineering. This paper reviews progress by researchers throughout China Mainland on the seismic research of tall buildings,focusing on three major topics that impact the seismic performance of tall buildings. These are:(1) new types of steel-concrete composite structural members such as steel-concrete composite shear walls and columns,(2) earthquake resilient shear wall structures such as shear walls with replaceable structural components,self-centering shear walls and rocking walls,and(3) performance-based seismic design,including seismic performance index,performance level and design method. The paper concludes by presenting future research needs and directions in this field.     

Seismic reliability analysis of buildings with torsional eccentricities

A study is presented of the influence of stiffness and strength eccentricities on the inelastic torsional response of buildings under the action of two simultaneous orthogonal horizontal ground motion components. Asymmetric buildings were obtained from their respective symmetric systems and were characterized by their stiffness and strength torsional eccentricities in both orthogonal directions. Based on the results of inelastic response of both building types (symmetric and asymmetric), the seismic reliability functions are determined for each system, and their forms of variation with different global system parameters are evaluated. Illustrative examples are presented about the use of this information for the formulation of seismic design criteria for in‐plan asymmetric multistory systems, in order to attain the same reliability levels implicit for symmetric systems designed in accordance with current seismic design codes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Empirical relationships between natural vibration period and height of buildings in Singapore

Singapore is a classic case of a modern metropolis with low hazard but high exposure to the seismicity in Sumatra. Because of land shortage, more than 80% of the population lives in high‐rise residential buildings. As part of the efforts to assess the seismic performance of buildings in Singapore subjected to long‐distance Sumatran earthquakes, relationships between the natural vibration period and height of high‐rise public residential buildings in Singapore are derived empirically by conducting ambient vibration tests on 116 buildings. The measured buildings have a height ranging from 4 to 30 stories. The aspect ratio of buildings in plan is found to be insignificant in affecting the natural vibration period of the first mode of the buildings. The period‐height relationships are derived using regression analysis considering the site properties of a building. It is concluded that the vibration periods estimated from the proposed period‐height relationship for buildings located at soft‐soil site are about 40% longer than the vibration periods estimated for buildings located at firm‐soil site. Measurements are also conducted to study the influence of buildings on the measured frequency of the surrounding soil. For this purpose, two buildings with 25 and 30 stories located at firm‐soil site and soft‐soil site, respectively, are selected. It is found that the distance of building influence on the measured frequency of the surrounding soil may reach up to one building height for a firm‐soil site and two building heights for a soft‐soil site. Additional data of natural vibration periods of 19 instrumented residential buildings, which have height ranging from 9 to 30 stories, were obtained from the building response recorded during the September 30, 2009 Sumatran earthquake event. The natural vibration periods of these buildings are compared with those estimated using the proposed period‐height relationships, and the absolute differences are found to be less than 12%. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

公共建筑运营企业温室气体排放核算方法探讨

本文从完整性的角度提出了中国公共建筑运营企业温室气体排放核算方法,进行了案例分析,并对其在中国未来碳排放交易市场中的应用提出了建议。研究表明,公共建筑运营企业排放核算主要采用活动数据法,核算范围包括化石燃料燃烧排放、逸散型排放、新种植树木的排放抵消、外购电力和热力的排放。案例分析表明,电力和热力引起的排放占88.32%;制冷剂逸散排放、灭火器使用引起的排放、化粪池CH₄的排放、树木吸收的CO₂（即排放量为负值）占比都较小;汽车移动源的排放占11.99%,是否应纳入主要依据核算排放量的用途。对中国未来碳排放交易市场,公共建筑物排放的核算范围,初期仅考虑化石燃料燃烧排放、外购电力和热力的排放是合理的。     

村镇建筑基于性态抗震设防的地震保险费率厘定

针对目前城市和村镇地区采用统一抗震设防标准的现状,将村镇建筑分为农村、乡镇、县城3个层次,制定基于性态抗震设防标准并开展相应的地震易损性分析,进而计算典型砌体结构的离散化震害矩阵。通过考虑不同地区地震危险性特征的差异来计算地震危险性曲线,并分析不同层次村镇结构在将来地震中的可能经济损失,确定相应地震保险费率。通过对不同层次、不同设防标准的典型砌体结构地震保险费率的对比,验证了将村镇地区分3个层次并考虑不同地区地震危险性差异来研究地震保险费率的合理性。     

城市建筑迎风面积密度矢量/栅格计算模型对比研究

城市建筑迎风面积密度（Frontal Area Density,FAD）作为重要的城市形态学参数之一,对其定量分析与制图,对城市微气候研究有着重要意义。为了找出高效可靠的方法分析城市建筑FAD的分布情况,本文以福建省晋江市为例,选取了矢量计算模型和栅格计算模型对FAD进行模拟,从计算效率、不同尺度和不同土地利用类型上,对结果进行对比分析。研究表明:计算效率上,矢量模型比栅格模型高。在城市尺度上,栅格模型与矢量模型模拟结果与宏观建筑分布特征一致,二者皆适用;在街区尺度上,栅格模型模拟结果比矢量模型更符合建筑分布规律。栅格模型的计算结果较矢量模型稳定,受分辨率影响小。在不同土地利用类型上,对于建筑分布稀疏区域2种模型皆适用;而对于建筑密集区,如商业区、城市住宅区等,栅格模型计算结果更优。     

建筑结构地震反应观测系统

建筑结构上获取的地震反应记录有助于促进建筑抗震设计规范的改进,从而减轻地震引起的生命财产损失．本文对建筑结构地震反应观测系统布设的目的进行了简要论述,并就观测系统的构成及测点布设原则作了详细介绍．此外,以防灾楼结构地震反应观测系统作为典型实例进行了介绍．     

宁夏地区深厚湿陷性黄土地基处理方案研究

宁夏南部地区湿陷性黄土厚度较大,湿陷性系数较大,压缩性高,相应地地基处理难度大,费用高,尤以该地区的低层建筑物地基处理安全性和经济性两者矛盾最为突出,已成为制约该地区开发建设的一大阻碍因素。针对此问题,采用经验总结和专家论证的研究方法,提出采用垫层法部分消除湿陷性,同时采取严格防水措施和结构措施的综合处理方案,以科学、安全、经济和适用为宗旨,经该地区采用此地基处理方案的工程实践证明,此方案能够很好地解决该地区低层建筑物地基处理中安全和经济两者的巨大矛盾,使两者达到协调统一。     

Engineering characteristics and environmental impacts of the expansive Ankara Clay,and swelling maps for SW and central parts of the Ankara (Turkey) metropolitan area

Volume-changing clay soils constitute the most costly natural hazard to buildings on shallow foundations. With the existing expansive clays in Ankara, low-rise buildings at the southwest part of the city have shown damage resulting in considerable maintenance costs. This paper reports the findings of an experimental investigation emphasizing the swelling behavior of Ankara Clay and correlations between the swelling parameters and other soil properties, and present a synthesis of observed damage details. The poor performance of the affected light-weight structures is assessed in the light of environmental conditions. In addition, swelling maps for SW and central parts of the Ankara metropolitan area, based on measured and predicted swelling parameters, are constructed for the purposes of land-use planning and general assessment of environmental problems. The experimental results suggest that the clay has high-to-very high activity, depth of active zone generally ranges between 1–2 m, the use of remolded and desiccated specimens seems to be a better approach in swelling tests, and the empirical equations based on two or more index or physical properties are good predictors for the estimation of the swelling potential of the clay. High swelling pressures exerted by the soil, flat topography and poor drainage, climatic conditions and poor construction methods are the main reasons of the structural damage observed at the study site.