Seismic Strengthening of RC Structures Using Wall-Type Kagome Damping System

In this study, the Kagome truss damper, a metallic wire structures, was introduced and its mechanical properties were investigated through theoretical analyses and experimental tests. The yield strength of the Kagome damper is dependent on the geometric shape and diameter of the metallic wire. The Kagome damper has higher resistance to plastic buckling as well as lower anisotropy. Cyclic shear loading tests were conducted to investigate the energy dissipation capacity and stiffness/strength degradation by repeated loadings. The hysteretic properties obtained from the tests suggest that a modification of the ideal truss model with a hinged connection could be used to predict the yield strength and stiffness of the damper. For seismic retrofitting of a low-rise RC moment frame system, a wall-type Kagome damping system (WKDS) was proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed system was verified by conducting cyclic loading tests using a RC frame with/without the WKDS (story drift ratio limit 1.0%). The test results indicated that both the strength and stiffness of the RC frame increased to the target level and that its energy dissipation capacity was significantly enhanced. Nonlinear static and dynamic analyses were carried out to validate that the existing building structure can be effectively retrofitted using the proposed WKDS.

Evaluation of Damage Limit State for RC Frame Based on FE Modeling

Many damage limit states have been defined to characterize the extent of damages occurred in RC frame. Some of the damage limit states are defined by models that relate the limit states with the control points. Both control points and the limit state are expressed in term of response quantities. This research aims to evaluate the validity of such models by identifying the defined damage limit state with the corresponding damage based on FE modeling. The FE modeling provides a direct link between the damage and the response quantities. This link can be exploited as a basis for the evaluation. Based on the evaluation, this study proposed modified damage limit states. The response quantities with its corresponding progressive damage from FE simulation will also be used to inspect whether damage that can be expected to occur in the model structure is within the range estimated by the code based approach (CBA) damage limit state. Finally, fragility curves are constructed to assess the probability of the expected damage in the model structure under Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) and Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) scenarios. Utilizing the proposed damage limit states, the most probable damage in the structure falls in the category of slight if an earthquake at a level of DBE or MCE strikes the structure. However, at MCE level the probability of moderate damage attains 35%, or an increase by 23% compared to the DBE level.