Effect of seismic retrofit of bridges on transportation networks

The objective of this research is to determine the effect earthquakes have on the performance of transportation network systems. To do this, bridge fragility curves, expressed as a function of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV), were developed. Network damage was evaluated under the 1994 Northridge earthquake and scenario earthquakes. A probabilistic model was developed to determine the effect of repair of bridge damage on the improvement of the network performance as days passed after the event. As an example, the system performance degradation measured in terms of an index, “Drivers Delay,“ is calculated for the Los Angeles area transportation system, and losses due to Drivers Delay with and without retrofit were estimated.     

Analytical seismic fragility functions for highway and railway embankments and cuts

A fundamental tool in seismic risk assessment of transportation systems is the fragility curve, which describes the probability that a structure will reach or exceed a certain damage state for a given ground motion intensity. Fragility curves are usually represented by two‐parameter (median and log‐standard deviation) cumulative lognormal distributions. In this paper, a numerical approach, in the spirit of the IDA, is applied for the development of fragility curves for highways and railways on embankments and in cuts due to seismic shaking. The response of the geo‐construction to increasing levels of seismic intensity is evaluated using a 2D nonlinear finite element model, with an elasto‐plastic criterion to simulate the soil behavior. A calibration procedure is followed in order to account for the dependency of both the stiffness and the damping to the soil strain level. The effect of soil conditions and ground motion characteristics on the response of the embankment and cut is taken into account considering different typical soil profiles and seismic input motions. This study will provide input for the assessment of the vulnerability of the road/railway network regarding the performance of the embankments and cuts; therefore, the level of damage is described in terms of the permanent ground displacement in these structures. The fragility curves are estimated based on the evolution of damage with increasing earthquake intensity, which is described by PGA. The proposed approach allows the evaluation of new fragility curves considering the distinctive features of the element's geometry, the input motion, and the soil properties as well as the associated uncertainties. A relationship between the computed permanent ground displacement on the surface of the embankment and the PGA in the free field is also suggested based on the results of the numerical analyses. Finally, the proposed fragility curves are compared with existing empirical data and the limitations of their applicability are outlined. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic performance assessment of a hybrid coupled wall system with replaceable steel coupling beams versus traditional RC coupling beams

This study assesses the seismic performance of a hybrid coupled wall (HCW) system with replaceable steel coupling beams (RSCBs) at four intensities of ground motion shaking. The performance of the HCW system is benchmarked against the traditional reinforced concrete coupled wall (RCW). Nonlinear numerical models are developed in OpenSees for a representative wall elevation in a prototype 11‐story building designed per modern Chinese codes. Performance is assessed via nonlinear dynamic analysis. The results indicate that both systems can adequately meet code defined objectives in terms of global and component behavior. Behavior of the two systems is consistent under service level earthquakes, whereas under more extreme events, the HCW system illustrates enhanced performance over the RCW system resulting in peak interstory drifts up to 31% lower in the HCW than the RCW. Larger drifts in the RCW are because of reduced coupling action induced by stiffness degradation of RC coupling beams, whereas the stable hysteretic responses and overstrength of RSCBs benefit post‐yield behavior of the HCW. Under extreme events, the maximum beam rotations of the RSCBs are up to 42% smaller than those of the RC coupling beams. Moderate to severe damage is expected in the RC coupling beams, whereas the RSCBs sustain damage to the slab above the beam and possible web buckling of shear links. The assessment illustrates the benefits of the HCW with RSCBs over the RCW system, because of easy replacement of the shear links as opposed to costly and time‐consuming repairs of RC coupling beams. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Developing collapse fragility curves for base-isolated buildings

Seismic isolation technique is increasingly used both for the design of new buildings and for the seismic retrofit of existing buildings. Nevertheless, so far, little attention has been paid on the collapse capacity of these structures, mainly because it requires refined nonlinear models and careful consideration of different sources of uncertainties. To fill this gap, a set of collapse fragility functions for existing reinforced concrete-frame buildings, designed for gravity loads only and then retrofitted with different isolation systems (including rubber-based and friction-based isolation systems), are derived in this study. For completeness, buildings with low and high seismic resistance are also considered. Collapse fragility functions are derived through incremental dynamic analysis, considering different collapse conditions both for isolation system and superstructure. For each case study building, mean and dispersion values are obtained considering both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties, due to record-to record and model variability, respectively. Finally, some comments on the possible use of the results of this study for practical applications are made.     

新型抗震支吊架振动台试验研究

在地震作用下,抗震支吊架理应保障建筑机电工程设施和管道系统均具备良好的服役性能。因此,对抗震支吊架的抗震性能进行检测至关重要。本文以某典型地下室抗震支吊架为对象开展了顺管向地震模拟振动台试验,通过多工况试验对比分析了不同支吊架的位移和加速度的地震响应。试验结果表明:抗震支吊架显著降低了管道位移,减振率最高可达到96%,但对于加速度响应的抑制作用较小。易损性分析表明:采用成品支吊架时,管道系统在遭受相当于设防烈度的地震作用时会发生严重损伤,而采用抗震支吊架的管道系统能够保全其功能。     

新疆于田地区2008年以来3个地震 序列的参数早期特征

考察新疆于田地区2008年以来发生的2008年3月21日M_S7.3、 2012年8月12日M_S6.3和2014年2月12日M_S7.3等3个地震序列的参数早期特征, 利用“时空传染型余震序列”(ETAS)模型进行了参数估计. 统一选用截止震级M_c=M_L3.0, 并使用最大似然法分别估算了这3个序列不同持续时间的α、 p和b等参数. 研究结果表明, 3个地震序列的参数差异明显, 其中： 2014年M_S7.3地震序列α值与2012年M_S6.3地震序列接近, 但高于2008年M_S7.3地震序列; 2014年M_S7.3地震序列p值较低, 表明当前序列衰减缓慢; 2012年M_S6.3地震序列b值最大, 2014年M_S7.3地震序列次之, 2008年M_S7.3地震序列最小. 此外, 2008年M_S7.3地震序列参数在震后20天内变化较为显著, 而2014年M_S7.3地震序列的α值和p值在震后3.5天内则相对稳定.     

2007年宁洱6.4级地震强余震库仑破裂应力触发研究

运用Okada方法计算了2007年6月3日宁洱MS6.4地震在其MS5.1强余震破裂面上产生的静态库仑破裂应力变化。结果表明,该静态库仑破裂应力变化量为0.36MPa,超过"触发阈值"(10-2MPa)1个数量级,说明宁洱6.4级地震在其5.1级强余震破裂面上引起的应力变化可能触发了该强余震的发生。     

损失分布和非结构损失对房屋建筑地易损性的影响

房屋建筑的地震易损性是地震损失评估和地震巨灾风险模型的基础。作为房屋建筑的重要组成部分,各类非结构构件的损失在现有的易损性模型中并未得到足够重视。本文以一栋典型钢筋混凝土框架结构教学楼为对象,通过将房屋建筑中的各类构件划分为具有不同地震损伤特性和损失后果的易损性组,考察建筑内的损失分布和非结构损失对房屋建筑地震易损性的影响。分析结果表明:由于许多非结构构件在中小地震作用下即可能发生较严重的破坏,房屋建筑在中小地震下的易损性主要受非结构损失控制;随着地震动强度等级的不断提高,结构损伤渐趋严重,结构损失对整体建筑易损性的影响不断增大;在结构进入震后不可修状态之前,建筑不同楼层的损失分布是评估建筑地震损失时不可忽略的因素。     

Aftershocks of 26th january 2001 Bhuj earthquake and seismotectonics of the Kutch region

The 26th January 2001 Bhuj earthquake was followed by intense aftershock activity. Aftershock data from United States Geological Survey (USGS) utilized in this study encompasses three months period from 26th January to 26th April 2001. Epicenters of the aftershock are plotted on a map depicting active faults. All the aftershocks of magnitude > 5 and 70% of those ranging between magnitude 3 and 5 are confined to an area resembling a horseshoe pattern with a pointed end towards NE. The other 20% of magnitude 3 to 5 are enclosed within an almost parallel boundary. Only 10% are found to be beyond this limiting boundary. 50% of the recorded after-shocks took place within the first week of the main event and this study reveals that the basic characteristic pattern of aftershock activity can be determined on the basis of the data of only one week. Four major NW-SE trending active faults are mapped in the Kutch region. They define the western limit of Cambay structure and also mark the western limit of Dharangadhra and Wadhwan basins along the SE continuation in Saurashtra. These faults separate the Kutch region into two geologically different blocks. On the SW side the mapped horseshoe pattern gets characteristically truncated along the western most fault, which is characterized by a strike-slip movement in the south and vertical movement in the north. The present study has revealed that the epicenter of the 26th January earthquake is located in the vicinity of the Bhachau township, close to the intersection with the Kutch mainland fault. Furthermore, it has been noticed that most of the epicenters of the aftershock are confined in the intersectional area of the Kutch mainland fault and the NW-SE faults.     

横桥向地面运动作用下独塔部分斜拉桥易损性分析

桥梁作为交通生命线系统中的重要工程,屡次在中等强度地震的作用下,遭受严重破坏甚至整体损毁,因此桥梁结构地震易损性研究在世界各国得到重视和发展。部分斜拉桥作为一种新桥型,由于兼有经济性和美学特性,近十年来在国内外发展迅速,但这种新桥型尚未经受地震的考验,在可能的地震灾害下,部分斜拉桥的地震破坏损伤概率还不明确,有必要开展有关的易损性研究。本文在桥梁地震易损性研究的基础上,分析在横桥向地面运动作用下独塔部分斜拉桥的易损性,定义五级损伤极限状态,建立桥墩、桥塔、限位器和全桥的易损性曲线,研究结果表明在横桥向地面运动作用下,独塔部分斜拉桥全桥易损性主要受到限位器和中墩的控制。