• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.60 no.6
• /
• pp.1021-1038
• /
• 2016

Considerable part of reinforced concrete building has suffered from destructive earthquakes in Turkey. This situation makes necessary to determine nonlinear behavior and seismic performance of existing RC buildings. Inelastic response of buildings to static and dynamic actions should be determined by considering both flexural plastic hinges and brittle shear hinges. However, shear capacities of members are generally neglected due to time saving issues and convergence problems and only flexural response of buildings are considered in performance assessment studies. On the other hand, recent earthquakes showed that the performance of older buildings is mostly controlled by shear capacities of members rather than flexure. Demand estimation is as important as capacity estimation for the reliable performance prediction in existing RC buildings. Demand estimation methods based on strength reduction factor (R), ductility (${\mu}$), and period (T) parameters ($R-{\mu}-T$) and damping dependent demand formulations are widely discussed and studied by various researchers. Adopted form of $R-{\mu}-T$ based demand estimation method presented in Eurocode 8 and Turkish Earthquake Code-2007 and damping based Capacity Spectrum Method presented in ATC-40 document are the typical examples of these two different approaches. In this study, eight different existing RC buildings, constructed before and after Turkish Earthquake Code-1998, are selected. Capacity curves of selected buildings are obtained with and without considering the brittle shear capacities of members. Seismic drift demands occurred in buildings are determined by using both $R-{\mu}-T$ and damping based estimation methods. Results have shown that not only capacity estimation methods but also demand estimation approaches affect the performance of buildings notably. It is concluded that including or excluding the shear capacity of members in nonlinear modeling of existing buildings significantly affects the strength and deformation capacities and hence the performance of buildings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.617-634
• /
• 2007

Algeria is a country with a high seismic activity. During the last decade, many destructive earthquakes occurred, particularly in the northern part, causing enormous losses in human lives, buildings and equipments. In order to reduce this risk in the capital and avoid serious damages to the strategic existing buildings, the government decided to invest into seismic upgrade, strengthening and retrofitting of these buildings. In doing so, seismic vulnerability study of this category of buildings has been considered. Structural analysis is performed on the basis of site investigation (inspection of the building, collecting data, materials, general conditions of the building, etc), and existing drawings (architectural plans, structural design, etc). The aim of these seismic vulnerability studies is to develop guidelines and a methodology for rehabilitation of existing buildings. This paper will provide insight to the vulnerability assessment and strengthening of the telecommunication centre, according to the new code RPA 99/version 2003. Both, static equivalent method and non linear dynamic analysis are performed in this study.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.511-539
• /
• 2015

The main objective of this study is to analytically investigate the effectiveness of different strengthening solutions in upgrading the seismic performance of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in Nepal. For this, four building models with different structural configurations and detailing were considered. Three possible rehabilitation solutions were studied, namely: (a) RC shear wall, (b) steel bracing, and (c) RC jacketing for all of the studied buildings. A numerical analysis was conducted with adaptive pushover and dynamic time history analysis. Seismic performance enhancement of the studied buildings was evaluated in terms of demand capacity ratio of the RC elements, capacity curve, inter-storey drift, energy dissipation capacity and moment curvature demand of the structures. Finally, the seismic safety assessment was performed based on standard drift limits, showing that retrofitting solutions significantly improved the seismic performance of existing buildings in Nepal.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.39-60
• /
• 2010

In Turkey, majority of industrial facilities are composed of precast buildings. However, precast buildings have suffered extensive damage during Kocaeli and Duzce (1999) and Adana-Ceyhan (1998) earthquakes. Therefore, in this study, fragilities of existing building stock and damage probabilities of precast buildings were studied. For this purpose, building inventories were prepared and variation of structural parameters was determined by investigating the design project of 65 precast buildings constructed in Denizli, Turkey. Twelve analysis models which reflect the stiffness, strength and ductility properties of building inventory were constructed. After the definition of strain based displacement limits and corresponding damage states for buildings, displacement demands were calculated by using non linear time history analysis. During the analyses 360 strong ground motion records were used. Exceedence ratios of concerned damage limits was calculated by checking the displacement demands and then PGV based fragility curves were constructed. Efficiency of strength, stiffness and ductility properties of existing precast buildings were investigated by comparing the fragility curves. The results have shown that the most effective parameters that govern the damage probabilities of precast buildings are stiffness and ductility. It was also stated that the results of fragility analysis and damage and failure observations performed after Kocaeli and Duzce Earthquakes are compatible.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.483-503
• /
• 2016

This study aims to evaluate seismic performance of existing low and mid-rise reinforced concrete buildings by comparing their displacement capacities and displacement demands under selected ground motions experienced in Turkey as well as demand spectrum provided in 2007 Turkish Earthquake Code for design earthquake with 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years for soil class Z3. It should be noted that typical residential buildings are designed according to demand spectrum of 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years. Three RC building sets as 2-, 4- and 7-story, are selected to represent reference low-and mid-rise buildings located in the high seismicity region of Turkey. The selected buildings are typical beam-column RC frame buildings with no shear walls. The outcomes of detailed field and archive investigation including approximately 500 real residential RC buildings established building models to reflect existing building stock. Total of 72 3-D building models are constructed from the reference buildings to include the effects of some properties such as structural irregularities, concrete strength, seismic codes, structural deficiencies, transverse reinforcement detailing, and number of story on seismic performance of low and mid-rise RC buildings. Capacity curves of building sets are obtained by nonlinear static analyses conducted in two principal directions, resulting in 144 models. The inelastic dynamic characteristics are represented by "equivalent" Single-Degree-of- Freedom (ESDOF) systems using obtained capacity curves of buildings. Nonlinear time history analysis is used to estimate displacement demands of representative building models idealized with (ESDOF) systems subjected to the selected ground motion records from past earthquakes in Turkey. The results show that the significant number of pre-modern code 4- and 7-story buildings exceeds LS performance level while the modern code 4- and 7-story buildings have better performances. The findings obviously indicate the existence of destructive earthquakes especially for 4- and 7-story buildings. Significant improvements in the performance of the buildings per modern code are also obvious in the study. Almost one third of pre-modern code buildings is exceeding LS level during records in the past earthquakes. This observation also supports the building damages experienced in the past earthquake events in Turkey.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.87-102
• /
• 2023

The cover plate and the building loads often make the semi-covered deep excavations with existing buildings bearing asymmetric load, presenting different deformation characteristics with normal excavations, which is not absolutely clear in current studies. Based on a typical engineering, the building storeys, the basement storeys, the pile length, the existence of the cover plate (CP) and the depth of the diaphragm walls (DW) were selected as variables, and 44 groups of simulation were designed to study the influence of existing buildings and the semi-covered supporting system on the deformation of the excavations. The results showed that the maximum lateral displacement of DW, δ_hm, and the depth of δ_hm, H_m, are affected seriously by the building storeys and the basement storeys. Asymmetric structures and loading lead to certain lateral displacement of DW at the beginning of excavation, resulting in different relationships between δ_hm and excavation depth, H. The maximum surface settlement outside the pit, δ_vm, increases significantly and the location, d_m, moves away from the pit with the building storeys increases. δ_vm has a quadratic correlation with H due to the existing buildings. CP and building load will affect the style of the lateral displacement curve of DW seriously in different aspects.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.285-292
• /
• 2020

The methodology classifying structural types of concrete buildings in the existing seismic fragility functions is too simple to estimate the fragility of existing residential buildings and neighborhood living facilities, especially those below five stories. Their structural types are dependent on information contained in the building register such as main use, total floor area, story, permission date, and first story floor area of the individual building. All of this information is not considered for classifying types in the existing functions; therefore, the goal of this study was to suggest a methodology that classifies structural types of concrete buildings by utilizing such information. The results of this study showed that the suggested methodology can classify structural types better than the existing methodology. Nevertheless, there is still a need to simplify the methodology because fragility estimation demands quickness rather than accuracy.

• Journal of The Korean Digital Architecture Interior Association
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.115-121
• /
• 2011

Occurrence of earthquakes have been increased all over the world and also, magnitude of earthquakes have been larger these days. Earthquake can be happened in Korea and is not a safe country any more. Many buildings are exposed at danger without any alternatives against earthquake in Korea. Among various kinds of buildings, school buildings are very important and urgent, because many students stays at school and young students have some difficulty to evacuate. Also, most existing school buildings in Korea were not designed considering earthquake resistant design codes. Thus, in this study, 3 types of braces were applied for seismic retrofits of existing school buildings using commercial structural analysis software and effective seismic retrofits were evaluated and discussed based on results by time history analysis.

• KIEAE Journal
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2009

This study suggested practical application of decision aid tool on re-evaluation of current buildings with a focus on a energy and economics evaluation methodology. In Europe, over forty percent of all construction activities are for retrofit. For efficient construction, various tools for re-evaluating existing buildings have been developed and are in use. Legislations of relevant laws and studies are actively initiated. In particular, EPIQR (Energy Performance Indoor environment Quality Retrofit), which was developed through the EU's Third and Fourth Framework Programs laid a foundation on a new concept-based decision aid tool for re-evaluation of existing buildings. As for actual applications, based on this, EPIQR+ was developed to be in line with a building maintenance guideline (SIA 469) and is actively applied to public buildings. This tool quantifies the degree of damages of existing buildings and suggests alternatives to users in energy (SIA 380/1) and economical perspectives. This study examined these preceding tools and suggested some trenchant approaching for more comprehensive and efficient use of re-evaluation tools in building maintenance.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.62 no.4
• /
• pp.391-399
• /
• 2017

This study investigates the effects of soft story, short columns, heavy overhangs, pounding, and construction and workmanship quality parameters on seismic response of reinforced concrete buildings through nonlinear static and dynamic procedures. The accounted parameters are selected for their common use in rapid screening of RC buildings. The 4- and 7-story buildings designed according to pre-modern codes are used to reflect majority of the existing building stock. The relative penalty scores are employed in this study to evaluate relative importance of certain irregularities in the existing rapid seismic assessment procedures. Comparison of relative scores for the irregularities considered in this study show that the overall trend is similar. The relatively small differences may be accounted for regional construction practices. It is concluded that initial-phase seismic assessment procedures based on architectural features yield in somewhat similar results independent of their bases. However, the differences in the scores emphasize the proper selection of the method based on the regional structure characteristics.