scholarly journals A comparative study on a complex URM building: part I—sensitivity of the seismic response to different modelling options in the equivalent frame models

Author(s):  
Daria Ottonelli ◽  
Carlo Filippo Manzini ◽  
Corrado Marano ◽  
Emilia Angela Cordasco ◽  
Serena Cattari

AbstractThe paper presents the comparison of the results of nonlinear static analyses carried out using six software packages (SWs) available at professional level and operating in the field of the equivalent frame (EF) approach on a model representative of a complex masonry building. The structure is inspired by the school “P. Capuzi” in Visso (MC, Italy), proposed as one of the benchmark structures in the “URM nonlinear modelling—Benchmark project” funded by the Italian Department of Civil Protection within the context of the ReLUIS projects. The 2-stories building is characterized by an irregular T-shaped plan and load-bearing walls consisting of two-leaf stone masonry with a rather regular bond scheme. The school was severely damaged by the seismic sequence that hit Central Italy in 2016/2017 and essentially exhibited a global in-plane box-type response, with a clear evidence of cracks concentrated in piers and spandrels. The availability of an accurate survey of the crack extension represents a precious and rare reference to firstly address in the paper the rules to be adopted in the EF models for the definition of the structural elements geometry. Then, the comparison of results is made with a twofold aim: firstly, by setting the models adopting shared and consistent modelling assumptions across the SWs; secondly, by investigating the sensitivity of the seismic response to some common epistemic and modelling uncertainties (namely: the adoption of various EF idealization rules for walls, the out-of-plane contribution of piers, the flange effect). In both cases, results are post-processed to define reference values of the achievable dispersion. The comparison is carried out in relation to a wide set of parameters, namely: global parameters (e.g. dynamic properties, pushover curves and equivalent bilinear curves); synthetic parameters of the structural safety (i.e. the maximum acceleration compatible with the ultimate limit state); the damage pattern simulated by SWs.

Author(s):  
G. Castellazzi ◽  
B. Pantò ◽  
G. Occhipinti ◽  
D. A. Talledo ◽  
L. Berto ◽  
...  

AbstractThe paper presents the comparison of the results obtained on a masonry building by nonlinear static analysis using different software operating in the field of continuum and discrete-macroelement modeling. The structure is inspired by an actual building, the "P. Capuzi" school in Visso (Macerata, Italy), seriously damaged following the seismic events that affected Central Italy from August 2016 to January 2017. The activity described is part of a wider research program carried out by various units involved in the ReLUIS 2017/2108—Masonry Structures project and having as its object the analysis of benchmark structures for the evaluation of the reliability of software packages. The comparison of analysis was carried out in relation to: global parameters (concerning the dynamic properties, capacity curves and, equivalent bilinear curves), synthetic parameters of structural safety (such as, for example, the maximum acceleration compatible with the life safety limit state) and the response in terms of simulated damage. The results allow for some insights on the use of continuum and discrete-macroelement modeling, with respect to the dispersion of the results and on the potential repercussions in the professional field. This response was also analyzed considering different approaches for the application of loads.


Author(s):  
Giovanni Castellazzi ◽  
Bartolomeo Pantò ◽  
Giuseppe Occhipinti ◽  
Diego Alejandro Talledo ◽  
Luisa Berto ◽  
...  

Abstract The paper presents the comparison of the results obtained on a masonry building by nonlinear static analysis using different software operating in the field of continuum and discrete-macroelement modeling. The structure is inspired by an actual building, the "P. Capuzi" school in Visso (Macerata, Italy), seriously damaged following the seismic events that affected Central Italy from August 2016 to January 2017. The activity described is part of a wider research program carried out by various units involved in the ReLUIS 2017/2108 - Masonry Structures project and having as its object the analysis of benchmark structures for the evaluation of the reliability of software packages. The comparison of analysis was carried out in relation to: global parameters (concerning the dynamic properties, capacity curves and equivalent bilinear curves), synthetic parameters of structural safety (such as, for example, the maximum acceleration compatible with the life safety limit state) and the response in terms of simulated damage. The results allow for some insights on the use of continuum and discrete-macroelement modeling, with respect to the dispersion of the results and on the potential repercussions in the professional field. This response was also analyzed considering different approaches for the application of loads. URM building.


Author(s):  
Pardo Antonio Mezzapelle ◽  
Stefano Lenci

The chapter deals with the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of the “San Francesco ad Alto” historical masonry building, a former church located in Ancona (Italy), which is currently used as a Regional Headquarter of the Marche Region by the Italian Army. The interest toward this building comes from a double motivation. From the one side, it underwent a series of structural changes, including the addition of a new floor splitting in two levels the original nave, which makes the structure very peculiar and closer to a classical building than to a church. From the other side, it is no longer used as a church, a fact that changes the hazard aspects. The construction schematically consists of two masonry boxes overlapping, the lower being wider than the upper. It has various characteristic structural elements, such as some semicircular arches, segmental arches, timber floors, a barrel vault, some wooden trusses on the roof and steel ties in retention of the facade and of the external walls. The equivalent frame method is used, and several pushover analyses are performed. The seismic action has been defined considering the building both with strategic (current situation) and with ordinary (possible future situation) importance during earthquakes. The role of the masonry spandrels on the response of the structure has been investigated in depth and the main effects highlighted. The result of the pushover analyses is a seismic risk index (IR), that defines the safety level of the construction with respect to one ultimate limit state (SLU), in particular the so-called limit state of “saving life” (SLV).


Author(s):  
Pardo Antonio Mezzapelle ◽  
Stefano Lenci

The chapter deals with the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of the “San Francesco ad Alto” historical masonry building, a former church located in Ancona (Italy), which is currently used as a Regional Headquarter of the Marche Region by the Italian Army. The interest toward this building comes from a double motivation. From the one side, it underwent a series of structural changes, including the addition of a new floor splitting in two levels the original nave, which makes the structure very peculiar and closer to a classical building than to a church. From the other side, it is no longer used as a church, a fact that changes the hazard aspects. The construction schematically consists of two masonry boxes overlapping, the lower being wider than the upper. It has various characteristic structural elements, such as some semicircular arches, segmental arches, timber floors, a barrel vault, some wooden trusses on the roof and steel ties in retention of the facade and of the external walls. The equivalent frame method is used, and several pushover analyses are performed. The seismic action has been defined considering the building both with strategic (current situation) and with ordinary (possible future situation) importance during earthquakes. The role of the masonry spandrels on the response of the structure has been investigated in depth and the main effects highlighted. The result of the pushover analyses is a seismic risk index (IR), that defines the safety level of the construction with respect to one ultimate limit state (SLU), in particular the so-called limit state of “saving life” (SLV).


Author(s):  
A. Sandoli ◽  
G. P. Lignola ◽  
B. Calderoni ◽  
A. Prota

AbstractA hybrid seismic fragility model for territorial-scale seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry buildings is developed and presented in this paper. The method combines expert-judgment and mechanical approaches to derive typological fragility curves for Italian residential masonry building stock. The first classifies Italian masonry buildings in five different typological classes as function of age of construction, structural typology, and seismic behaviour and damaging of buildings observed following the most severe earthquakes occurred in Italy. The second, based on numerical analyses results conducted on building prototypes, provides all the parameters necessary for developing fragility functions. Peak-Ground Acceleration (PGA) at Ultimate Limit State attainable by each building’s class has been chosen as an Intensity Measure to represent fragility curves: three types of curve have been developed, each referred to mean, maximum and minimum value of PGAs defined for each building class. To represent the expected damage scenario for increasing earthquake intensities, a correlation between PGAs and Mercalli-Cancani-Sieber macroseismic intensity scale has been used and the corresponding fragility curves developed. Results show that the proposed building’s classes are representative of the Italian masonry building stock and that fragility curves are effective for predicting both seismic vulnerability and expected damage scenarios for seismic-prone areas. Finally, the fragility curves have been compared with empirical curves obtained through a macroseismic approach on Italian masonry buildings available in literature, underlining the differences between the methods.


Author(s):  
Kristoffer Lofthaug ◽  
Lars Brubak ◽  
Åge Bøe ◽  
Eivind Steen

A study to document the Ultimate Limit State (ULS) safety margins built into the DNV GL rules for Bulk and Tanker is presented. Critical structural members were identified together with the load level at which these members start to develop permanent buckling sets exceeding normal fabrication tolerances. These critical load levels are then compared with the local ULS rule strength limits in order to have a measure for the structural safety margins and hull redundancy. Non-linear finite element (NFLE) analyses were performed to estimate the structural response for different focus areas (critical structural members). Typically, critical members in bottom, deck, transverse bulkhead and hopper were chosen. Cargo hold models were developed both with linear finite elements, [1,2] and non-linear finite elements, [3]. In the non-linear FE analysis, the structural safety factor for ULS was defined as the load level giving permanent plastic deformation equal to the permissible distortion (production tolerances) for structural members. The non-linear FE results were compared with the maximum permissible load level with respect to buckling and yielding according to DNV GL Ship rules [1] inclusive Common Structural Rules for BC&OT (CSR) [4]. The structural safety factor shows a typical value of 1.2–1.4, and for most cases the plate is governing dimensioning structural member. This study has identified significant structural safety margins, typically 20–40% above rule acceptance level for typical highly utilized local areas in Bulk and Tanker hulls. It is to be noted that global Hull Girder Capacity is not addressed in present paper.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Sandoli ◽  
Gian Piero Lignola ◽  
Bruno Calderoni ◽  
Andrea Prota

Abstract A hybrid seismic fragility model for territorial-scale seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry buildings is developed and presented in this paper. The method combines expert-judgment and mechanical approaches to derive typological fragility curves for Italian residential masonry building stock. The first classifies Italian masonry buildings in five different typological classes as function of age of construction, structural typology, and seismic behaviour and damaging of buildings observed following the most severe earthquakes occurred in Italy. The second, based on numerical analyses results conducted on building prototypes, provides all the parameters necessary for developing fragility functions.Peak-Ground Acceleration (PGA) at Ultimate Limit State attainable by each building’s class has been chosen as an Intensity Measure (IM) to represent fragility curves: three types of curve have been developed, each referred to mean, maximum and minim value of PGAs defined for each buildings class.To represent the expected damage scenario for increasing earthquake intensities, a correlation between PGAs and Mercalli-Cancani-Sieber (MCS) macroseismic intensity scale has been used and the corresponding fragility curves developed.Results show that the proposed building’s classes are representative of the Italian masonry building stock and that fragility curves are effective for predicting both seismic vulnerability and expected damage scenarios for seismic-prone areas. Finally, the fragility curves have been compared with empirical curves obtained through a macroseismic approach on Italian masonry buildings available in literature, underlining the differences between the methods.


Author(s):  
Owen Hughes ◽  
Ming Ma ◽  
Jeom Kee Paik

Ship structural design often deals with multiple objectives such as weight, safety, and cost. These objectives usually conflict with each other, and optimizing a particular solution with respect to a single objective can result in unacceptable results with respect to the other objectives. A reasonable solution to a multi-objective problem is to investigate a set of solutions, each of which satisfies the objectives at an acceptable level without being dominated by any other solution. Genetic algorithms have been demonstrated to be particularly effective to determine excellent solutions to these problems. In this paper a multi-objective GA, called Vector Evaluated Genetic Algorithm (VEGA) is formulated and used to optimize a large and complex thin-wall structure (a complete cargo hold of a 200,000 ton oil tanker) on the basis of weight, safety and cost. The structure weight and cost and all of the stresses are calculated using a realistic finite element model. The structure adequacy is then evaluated using the ALPS/ULSAP computer program (Paik and Thayamballi, 2003) which can efficiently evaluate all six ultimate limit states for stiffened panels and grillages. This example was chosen because the initial design is severely inadequate. The results show that the proposed method can perform ultimate strength based structural optimization with multi-objectives, namely minimization of the structural weight and cost and maximization of structural safety, and also that the method is very robust.


Author(s):  
A. Brunelli ◽  
F. de Silva ◽  
A. Piro ◽  
F. Parisi ◽  
S. Sica ◽  
...  

AbstractDespite significant research advances on the seismic response analysis, there is still an urgent need for validation of numerical simulation methods for prediction of earthquake response and damage. In this respect, seismic monitoring networks and proper modelling can further support validation studies, allowing more realistic simulations of what earthquakes can produce. This paper discusses the seismic response of the “Pietro Capuzi” school in Visso, a village located in the Marche region (Italy) that was severely damaged by the 2016–2017 Central Italy earthquake sequence. The school was a two-story masonry structure founded on simple enlargements of its load-bearing walls, partially embedded in the alluvial loose soils of the Nera river. The structure was monitored as a strategic building by the Italian Seismic Observatory of Structures (OSS), which provided acceleration records under both ambient noise and the three mainshocks of the seismic sequence. The evolution of the damage pattern following each one of the three mainshocks was provided by on-site survey integrated by OSS data. Data on the dynamic soil properties was available from the seismic microzonation study of the Visso village and proved useful in the development of a reliable geotechnical model of the subsoil. The equivalent frame (EF) approach was adopted to simulate the nonlinear response of the school building through both fixed-base and compliant-base models, to assess the likely influence of soil–structure interaction on the building performance. The ambient noise records allowed for an accurate calibration of the soil–structure model. The seismic response of the masonry building to the whole sequence of the three mainshocks was then simulated by nonlinear time history analyses by using the horizontal accelerations recorded at the underground floor as input motions. Numerical results are validated against the evidence on structural response in terms of both incremental damage and global shear force–displacement relationships. The comparisons are satisfactory, corroborating the reliability of the compliant-base approach as applied to the EF model and its computational efficiency to simulate the soil–foundation–structure interaction in the case of masonry buildings.


2011 ◽  
Vol 255-260 ◽  
pp. 2478-2482
Author(s):  
Qi Wang Su ◽  
Yang Xia ◽  
Shi Chun Zhao

Collapse safety is the most important objective of performance-based seismic design. Buildings should have enough safety margin to avoid collapse during severe or mega earthquake. However, current Chinese seismic design code does not have explicit design specification or quantitative evaluation for collapse-resistant capacity. Take a two-story masonry building as an example, an equivalent frame model for pushover and incremental dynamic analysis are established, and the comparison are also studied. In addition, the fragility curves can also be obtained. The analysis results show that the results of plastic hinge mainly appear in ground floor wall between windows and doors. Moreover, the analysis result has good uniformity with seismic damage. Judging from the failure mechanism, pushover and incremental dynamic analysis have very good similarity. In addition , they show elastic deformation is very small and brittleness is very apparent of the masonry building.Seismic vulnerability analysis shows that the significant damage and the near collapse curves are very close to each other .This mean that , once the significant damage limit state is reached ,only small PGA increments are need for reaching the near collapse limit state.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document