Abstract

Non-Structural Elements (NSEs) such as building contents, appendages to buildings, utilities and services are highly vulnerable during earthquakes and can pose significant risks if not properly secured to the supporting structure. Consequences of unsecured NSEs in the aftermath of earthquakes are significant losses to human life, property, and functionality of buildings. This is because, NSEs are susceptible to sliding, rocking, toppling, overturning, stretching, shortening, and shearing. These movements are compounded by: (a) NSE-structure anchorage conditions, (b) geometry, weight, and friction with the supporting surface and NSE, and (c) NSE types. Recent earthquakes in Turkey and Myanmar also witnessed damage in NSEs, reiterating the criticality. In general, earthquake resistance of NSEs can be improved by 3 broad mitigation approaches recommended in literature. They are: (i) non-engineered (based on judgement) (ii) pre-engineered (based on calculations, experiments, and experience from past earthquakes), and (iii) engineered (based on detailed design recommended in design standards). These approaches typically employ anchor bolts, braces, slack chains, snubbers, flexible connections, and shock absorbers tailored to the specific type and performance requirements of NSE. This paper presents a detailed discussion of commonly adopted methods that help improve earthquake resistance of NSEs and enhance overall safety of buildings in urban areas.

Abstract

Non-Structural Elements (NSEs) in buildings are expected to remain operational after earthquakes. But, numerical models of Structural Elements (SEs) (buildings) seldom include NSEs, thereby ignoring dynamic interaction between SE-NSEs, resulting in unrealistic earthquake demands. This study aims to quantify these earthquake demands, especially in acceleration-sensitive NSEs, by using Floor Response Spectrum (FRS) approach, and employing Decoupled & Coupled Models during Nonlinear Response History Analysis. Results are examined for effectiveness and accuracy in predicting acceleration demands. The findings emphasize importance of incorporating coupled SE-NSE behavior, for improved seismic design and behavior of buildings and NSEs during earthquake events.

Abstract

Cooling towers are commonly used in commercial, industrial, and hospital buildings for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning requirements. In general, they are mounted on roof of buildings and designed as Non-Structural Elements (NSE). Further, for minimum transfer of vibrations during strong earthquake shaking to the supporting buildings, vibration isolators are used. While experimental test results provide realistic seismic demand estimates, numerical analysis help predict demands reasonably well if numerical modelling and nonlinear analysis are carried out using realistic assumptions of structure and its behaviour. This study is an attempt in this direction, considers a cooling tower from past shake table test, and presents numerical modelling and pertaining seismic response investigations. For the numerical study, complete coupled modelling (cooling tower and the building modelled together) is carried out in commercial software SAP2000, and decoupled modelling (cooling tower only) in ABAQUS. And, nonlinear time history analysis is performed to estimate component amplification factor, peak shear force, peak axial force, maximum relative displacements, and roof acceleration response history. Several outcomes were closely matched with the experimental results. However, significant variation is observed in some of the seismic demands, which can be attributed to assumptions made in numerical modelling.

Abstract

Seismic signal classification plays a crucial role in mitigating the impact of seismic events on human lives and infrastructure. Traditional methods in seismic hazard assessment often overlook the inherent uncertainties associated with the prediction of this complex geological phenomenon. This work introduces a probabilistic framework that leverages Bayesian principles to model and quantify uncertainty in seismic signal classification by applying a Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN). The BCNN was trained on a dataset that comprises waveforms detected in the Southern California region and achieved an accuracy of 99.1%. Monte Carlo Sampling subsequently creates a 95% prediction interval for probabilities that considers epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties. The ability to visualize both aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties provides decision-makers with information to determine the reliability of seismic signal classifications. Further, the use of Bayesian CNN for seismic signal classification provides a more robust foundation for decision-making and risk assessment in earthquake-prone regions.

Abstract

In the aftermath of earthquakes, hospital buildings are expected to remain occupiable to treat the injured. For the purpose, firstly, an appropriate structural system that ensures no or limited structural damage should be provided in such buildings; wall-frames are the recommended structural systems in hospital buildings. Secondly, it is also essential to adequately design wall-frames to help meet the preferred Occupiability seismic performance. The work presented in this paper examines the contributing factors for failure of structural elements in hospital buildings and explores structural configuration and design strategies for mitigating these failures. Nonlinear analyses studies of a typical hospital building in high seismic region in India are carried out to help provide quantitative guidelines for: (a) Structural Plan Density (SPD) of structural walls, and (b) design parameters, for achieving the preferred performance. Displacement-based limit state of structural damage adopted from traditional displacement demand estimation rules is proposed. Lateral stiffness, strength, and ductility are evaluated of study buildings, and efficacy of results obtained from nonlinear static analyses confirmed by performing nonlinear time history analyses in commercial software PERFORM 3D. Results demonstrate inadequacy of moment frame structural system in hospital buildings under strong earthquake shaking, identifies optimum overall SPD of structural walls and relative column-to-beam strength ratio of frame members, required to achieve Occupiability. A minimum 3% SPD of structural walls in Wall – Special Moment Resisting Frame (WSMRF), 4% SPD in Wall – Ordinary moment resisting frame (WOMRF) hospital buildings, and a minimum column-to-beam strength ratio (CBSR) of 2 is required in hospital buildings to attain Occupiability performance.

Abstract

This study considers simple acceleration sensitive Non-structural elements (NSEs) with fundamental period TS ≤ 0.07seconds, modelled as a rigid cantilever with lumped mass at the top (stick model). Numerical modelling of building and NSE together (complete model) and nonlinear time history analyses using 11 natural ground motions are performed in commercial software PERFORM 3D. Parametric studies of NSEs with lumped mass of 1-10 percent total seismic weight of building (in increments of 1 percent) for each fundamental period of NSE (in increments of 0.01s) is carried out, using spectrally scaled ground motions. Variations in: (a) lateral force demand on NSE, (b) Component Amplification Factor (CAF), and (c) Floor Amplification Factor (FAF), are monitored. Results are compared with the values of above parameters estimated as per EAK (2000), Eurocode 8 (1998 (1):2004), ASCE 07 (2016), NZS 4219 (2009), and NZS 1170 (5) (2004). It is observed that FAF varies nonlinearly across the floors (and significantly in the lower floors), as against linear variation stipulated in the above codes. The average CAF for the ground motions considered ranged between 1 and 2 up to Ts ≤ 0.06s. However, it increased significantly for Ts = 0.07s, thereby complementing ASCE 07 stipulation of 0.06s limit for rigid NSEs. The value of 2 is consistent with NZS 1170(5):2004 and 1 with ASCE 07 and EAK (2000). Further, as the NSE weight increased, the fundamental period of the building increased, and the average CAF marginally decreased. And, seismic force demand imposed on all NSEs during nonlinear time history analysis exceeded code recommended seismic design force under most ground motions.

Abstract

Wall-Frames, the recommended structural system for lifeline buildings is expected to have satisfactory and desirable seismic performance, especially if located in high seismic regions. In this work, fiber modeling approach is used to model inelasticity in walls and moment frames in a 6 storey-3-bay 2D wall-frame system. Displacement-controlled nonlinear static pushover analyses results from commercial software PERFORM3D suggest, the fiber type inelasticity in numerical models help predict nonlinear static behavior of study wall-frames reasonably well, compared to behavior of wall-frames with lumped inelasticity. In particular, increasing wall plan-aspect ratio enhances earthquake resistant virtues of wallframes, namely stiffness, strength, and ductility. Further, early yielding is observed in stiffer wall-frames and reasonable ductility achieved in all study wall-frames. Alongside, limit states of structural damages are also monitored to grade the damages and in turn the seismic performance of wall-frames. In addition, results obtained from nonlinear static analyses are confirmed by performing nonlinear time history analyses of study wall-frames, towards quantifying the critical earthquake resistant virtues—results and investigations from the study is a precursor towards recommending design measures to ensure postearthquake functionality of lifeline buildings.

Abstract

Wall-Frames, the recommended structural system for lifeline buildings is expected to have satisfactory and desirable seismic performance, especially if located in high seismic regions. In this work, fiber modeling approach is used to model inelasticity in walls and moment frames in a 6 storey-3-bay 2D wall-frame system. Displacement-controlled nonlinear static pushover analyses results from commercial software PERFORM3D suggest, the fiber type inelasticity in numerical models help predict nonlinear static behavior of study wall-frames reasonably well, compared to behavior of wall-frames with lumped inelasticity. In particular, increasing wall plan-aspect ratio enhances earthquake resistant virtues of wall-frames, namely stiffness, strength, and ductility. Further, early yielding is observed in stiffer wall-frames and reasonable ductility achieved in all study wall-frames. Alongside, limit states of structural damages are also monitored to grade the damages and in turn the seismic performance of wall-frames. In addition, results obtained from nonlinear static analyses are confirmed by performing nonlinear time history analyses of study wall-frames, towards quantifying the critical earthquake resistant virtues — results and investigations from the study is a precursor towards recommending design measures to ensure post-earthquake functionality of lifeline buildings. Keywords: Fiber modeling, Nonlinear static analysis, Limit states, Structural damages

Abstract

Artificial Bee Colony (ABC)method optimization procedure for design of RC moment frames​. Cross-section properties of frame members are optimized considering constraints specified by design codes.​Structural design provisions enunciated in Indian Standards IS456 (2000), IS1893 (2016) and IS13920 (2016) are used as system of design rules, to interact with Finite Element Method of analysis of frames developed for the study. Cross-sectional properties of structural members are chosen from a set of pre-defined sectional properties from the database developed to form design variables compliant with Indian Standards. The optimized design & detailing of frame elements are obtained after the frame structure is analyzed under the action of multiple load combinations ​ ABC method can then be applied, to improve the Nonlinear Response of the frame​

Abstract

Earthquake Resistant Design Philosophy seeks (a) no damage, (b) no significant structural damage, and (c) significant structural damage but no collapse of normal buildings, under minor, moderate and severe levels of earthquake shaking, respectively. A procedure is proposed for seismic design of low-rise reinforced concrete special moment frame buildings, which is consistent with this philosophy; buildings are designed to be ductile through appropriate sizing and reinforcement detailing, such that they resist severe level of earthquake shaking without collapse. Nonlinear analyses of study buildings are used to determine quantitatively (a) ranges of design parameters required to assure the required deformability in normal buildings to resist the severe level of earthquake shaking, (b) four specific limit states that represent the start of different structural damage states, and (c) levels of minor and moderate earthquake shakings stated in the philosophy along with an extreme level of earthquake shaking associated with the structural damage state of no collapse. The four limits of structural damage states and the three levels of earthquake shaking identified are shown to be consistent with the performance-based design guidelines available in literature. Finally, nonlinear analyses results are used to confirm the efficacy of the proposed procedure.