scholarly journals Benchmarking the software packages to model and assess the seismic response of unreinforced masonry existing buildings through nonlinear static analyses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Cattari ◽  
Guido Magenes
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Unreinforced Masonry ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Seismic Modelling ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Nonlinear Static ◽  
Comparison Of The Results ◽  
Benchmark Structures

AbstractSeismic modelling of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings is addressed worldwide according to different approaches, not only at research level, but also in the current engineering practice. The analysts have so many different possible choices in interpreting the response of the examined structure and in transferring them into the model for the assessment that the achievable results may turn out in a huge scattering, as also testified by various comparative studies already available in the literature. Within this context, this paper is an overview of a wide research activity addressed to the benchmarking of software packages for the modelling and seismic assessment through nonlinear static analyses of URM buildings. The activity conveyed the effort of many experts from various Italian universities and was funded by the Italian Department of Civil Protection within the context of the ReLUIS projects. The main objective of the research is the critical analysis and the systematic comparison of the results obtained by using several modelling approaches and software package tools on selected benchmark examples in order to provide a useful and qualified reference to the engineering and scientific community. To this aim, different benchmark examples—of increasing complexity, ranging from the single panel to 3D existing buildings—have been specifically designed. While other papers from the teams involved in the research project delve on the specific results achieved on each of these case studies, this paper illustrates an overview on such benchmark structures, their purpose and the standardized criteria adopted to compare the results. Moreover, the whole set of benchmark case-studies is made available in this paper through their detailed input data allowing to be replicated also by other researchers and analysts.

scholarly journals Modelling the nonlinear static response of a 2-storey URM benchmark case study: comparison among different modelling strategies using two- and three-dimensional elements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Cannizzaro ◽  
Giovanni Castellazzi ◽  
Nicola Grillanda ◽  
Bartolomeo Pantò ◽  
Massimo Petracca
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Seismic Load ◽  
Masonry Building ◽  
Capacity Curves ◽  
Collapse Mechanisms ◽  
Software Packages ◽  
Modelling Strategies ◽  
Nonlinear Static ◽  
Unreinforced Masonry Building ◽  
Benchmark Structures

AbstractThis paper aims at comparing the use of different software environments for the study of a simple unreinforced masonry building through nonlinear static analyses. The presented results are part of a wider research project conducted within the ReLUIS consortium, and specifically within a research task whose purpose is providing practitioners with results and tools for an aware employment of commercial software packages for modelling masonry structures. In this study one of the benchmark structures of the research program is analysed; a two-story building characterized by rigid horizontal diaphragms, considering different configurations in terms of openings arrangements and effectiveness of ring beams, is subjected to seismic load conditions. Software packages considering two- and three- dimensional structural models are employed, and the obtained results are compared in terms of capacity curves and collapse mechanisms. One of the critical aspects on the basic assumptions made by software in terms of way to apply the horizontal loads is further investigated. In addition, the role of the shear strength is analysed correlating the mechanical properties to be adopted with micro- and macro- models. The considered models present very different features, and the analogies and differences obtained in the results are critically interpreted in view of the different hypotheses made by the software tools in terms of modelling strategies and adopted constitutive laws.

scholarly journals Failure Analysis of Apennine Masonry Churches Severely Damaged during the 2016 Central Italy Seismic Sequence

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Clementi
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Nonlinear Material ◽  
Seismic Sequence ◽  
Nonlinear Approach ◽  
Nonlinear Static ◽  
Masonry Churches ◽  
Global And Local

This paper presents a detailed study of the damages and collapses suffered by various masonry churches in the aftermath of the seismic sequence of Central Italy in 2016. The damages will first be analyzed and then compared with the numerical data obtained through 3D simulations with eigenfrequency and then nonlinear static analyses (i.e., pushover). The main purposes of this study are: (i) to create an adequately consistent sensitivity study on several definite case studies to obtain an insight into the role played by geometry—which is always unique when referred to churches—and by irregularities; (ii) validate or address the applicability limits of the more widespread nonlinear approach, widely recommended by the Italian Technical Regulations. Pushover analyses are conducted assuming that the masonry behaves as a nonlinear material with different tensile and compressive strengths. The consistent number of case studies investigated will show how conventional static approaches can identify, albeit in a qualitative way, the most critical macro-elements that usually trigger both global and local collapses, underlining once again how the phenomena are affected by the geometry of stones and bricks, the texture of the wall face, and irregularities in the plan and elevation and in addition to hypotheses made on the continuity between orthogonal walls.

scholarly journals Lumped damage mechanics as a diagnosis tool of reinforced concrete structures in service: case studies of a former bridge arch and a balcony slab

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (58) ◽  
pp. 21-32
Author(s):  
Rafael Cunha ◽  
Camila Vieira ◽  
David Amorim
Keyword(s):  
Reinforced Concrete ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Damage Mechanics ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Concrete Structures ◽  
Structural Condition ◽  
Numerical Analyses ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Reinforced Concrete Structures ◽  
Diagnosis Tool

Reinforced concrete structures may need repair in order to ensure the designed durability. Such necessity vary in cause and effect, but the structural diagnosis serves as the basis for adopting intervention measures. The assessment of the structural condition usually is made in loco, but sometimes numerical analyses are required as a low cost and effective preliminary diagnosis. In general, numerical analyses use hundreds or thousands of finite elements and nonlinear theories that are not often used in engineering practice. As an alternative, lumped damage mechanics (LDM) uses key concepts of classic fracture and damage mechanics in plastic hinges throughout well-known quantities such as ultimate moment and cracking moment. Such theory describes the concrete cracking by a damage variable, which can be used as a diagnosis criterion. Therefore, this paper presents LDM as a diagnosis tool to analyse actual structures. The case studies presented in this paper are a former bridge arch tested in China and a balcony that collapsed in Brazil. The results show that LDM numerical response of those structures are quite close to laboratory observations (former bridge arch) and in loco measurements (balcony).

The Whittier Narrows, California Earthquake of October 1, 1987—Preliminary Evaluation of the Performance of Strengthened Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

1988 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Moore ◽  
J. H. Kobzeff ◽  
J. Diri ◽  
C. Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Unreinforced Masonry ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Masonry Buildings ◽  
Plane Shear ◽  
Hazard Reduction ◽  
Out Of Plane ◽  
Shear Failures ◽  
Bending Failure

This report presents preliminary case studies of the performance of selected unreinforced masonry buildings during the Whittier Narrows Earthquakes. Attention is focused on buildings located in the downtown Los Angeles area which have been rehabilitated to conform with the Los Angeles hazard reduction Ordinance. There was no life loss or major injuries attributed to the response of unreinforced masonry buildings to the earthquakes. However, there was a significant number of both rehabilitated and non-strengthened buildings for which masonry peeled off upper story walls. This was mainly due to separation of the outer whythe of brick, or out-of-plane bending failure, and/or in-plane shear failures of wall piers, particularly at building corners. The falling bricks associated with these failures did present an injury hazard so it is important to investigate economical measures to minimize these hazards in future earthquakes.

Design Lessons in Residential Rehabilitation

1994 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Comerio
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Conceptual Design ◽  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Earthquake Hazards ◽  
Loma Prieta Earthquake ◽  
Residential Rehabilitation ◽  
Two Sides

In multi-family residential buildings, earthquake hazards mitigation and reconstruction are two sides of the same coin. The buildings are costly and difficult to retrofit and losses from the Loma Prieta earthquake make it clear that these buildings are significantly more costly and difficult to replace. Case studies of residential buildings which have been upgraded demonstrate that details and schedules are more important than the conceptual design. To achieve cost efficiency, traditional engineering design solutions must be adapted to the conditions found in existing buildings. Further, because construction is almost always done with tenants remaining in the building, cost efficiency must include social as well as technical design.

scholarly journals Computational Engine Structural Analysis

1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Chamis ◽  
R. H. Johns
Keyword(s):  
Structural Analysis ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Computational Simulation ◽  
Squeeze Film ◽  
Nasa Lewis Research ◽  
Post Processing ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
Significant Research ◽  
Computer Codes

A significant research activity at the NASA Lewis Research Center is the computational simulation of complex multidisciplinary engine structural problems. This simulation is performed using computational engine structural analysis (CESA) which consists of integrated multidisciplinary computer codes in conjunction with computer post-processing for “problem-specific” application. A variety of the computational simulations of specific cases are described in some detail in this paper. These case studies include (1) aeroelastic behavior of bladed rotors, (2) high velocity impact of fan blades, (3) blade-loss transient response, (4) rotor/stator/squeeze-film/bearing interaction, (5) blade-fragment/rotor-burst containment, and (6) structural behavior of advanced swept turboprops. These representative case studies were selected to demonstrate the breadth of the problems analyzed and the role of the computer including post-processing and graphical display of voluminous output data.

Getting the basic ground model right in engineering practice

2020 ◽  
pp. qjegh2020-055
Author(s):  
G. J. Hearn
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Engineering Geology ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Engineering Practice ◽  
Ground Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analytical Skills ◽  
Engineering Problems ◽  
Ground Conditions ◽  
Geomorphological Processes

The approach to ground modelling should be devised to suit the geological and geomorphological challenges that pertain and the context and manner in which the model is to be used. Several case studies are examined where problems experienced during works construction and operation are associated with complex ground conditions and geomorphological outcomes not fully anticipated from the site investigation and ground modelling. Other cases reflect situations where either important existing information was ignored or no apparent consideration was given to the potential for ground engineering problems. Insufficient attention to geomorphology, and especially geomorphological processes, has been the cause of several construction difficulties and continues to pose a significant source of risk in many terrains. The observational and analytical skills of a carefully-chosen geo-team will be paramount if these challenges are to be overcome. However, such considerations become largely academic if institutional shortcomings serve to limit or exclude engineering geological assessment in the first place.Thematic collection: This article is part of the Ground models in engineering geology and hydrogeology collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/Ground-models-in-engineering-geology-and-hydrogeology

Existing Buildings

2018 ◽  
pp. 228-247
Author(s):  
Urszula Kozminska ◽  
Elzbieta D. Rynska
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Student Housing ◽  
Environmental Engineering ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Architectural Features ◽  
Guidelines And Recommendations ◽  
Design Options

This chapter is dedicated to the modernisation process of existing buildings aiming to achieve the nearly zero-energy standard. The process is described from the designer's perspective. Related issues, requirements, constraints, design options, and local determinants are analysed, and optimal architectural solutions for selected case studies are also presented. The analysis is based on the KodnZeb project, which included the modernisation of two existing buildings, located in Warsaw (the Faculty of Building Services, Hydro- and Environmental Engineering and Student Housing Muszelka), which differ in architectural features function, location, and needs. Thus, two diverse approaches to the modernisation process are examined. The chapter concludes with general guidelines and recommendations for similar architectural projects.

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