Effect of the Distribution of Mass and Structural Member Discretization on the Seismic Response of Steel Buildings

The response of steel moment frames is estimated by first considering that the mass matrix is the concentrated type (ML) and then consistent type (MC). The effect of considering more than one element per beam is also evaluated. Low-, mid- and high-rise frames, modeled as complex-2D-MDOF systems, are used in the numerical study. Results indicate that if ML is used, depending upon the response parameter under consideration, the structural model, the seismic intensity and the structural location, the response can be significantly overestimated, precisely calculated, or significantly underestimated. Axial loads at columns, on an average basis, are significantly overestimated (up to 60%), while lateral drifts and flexural moments at beams are precisely calculated. Inter-story shears and flexural moments at columns, on average, are underestimated by up to 15% and 35%, respectively; however, underestimations of up to 60% can be seen for some individual strong motions. Similarly, if just one element per beam is used in the structural modeling, inter-story shears and axial loads on columns are overestimated, on average, by up to 21% and 95%, respectively, while the lateral drifts are precisely calculated. Flexural moments at columns and beams can be considerably underestimated (on average up to 14% and 35%, respectively), but underestimations larger than 50% can be seen for some individual cases. Hence, there is no error in terms of lateral drifts if ML or one element per beam is used, but significant errors can be introduced in the design due to the overestimation and underestimation of the design forces. It is strongly suggested to use MC and at least two elements per beam in the structural modeling.

Determination of non-hazardous areas in terms of seismic effect for the use of explosives in the open pit in safe conditions

In addition to the technical and economic advantages of blasting rocks from open-pit mining, this method of extraction can produce effects with a direct impact in the area near the open pit. Blasting works generates effects such as seismic waves that cause vibrations, rock throws, noise and toxic gases. When their intensity and scope are not systematically evaluated and analysed, blasting works can cause serious consequences for people, civil / industrial buildings, the environment, thus affecting the health of the population and the stability / integrity of the buildings / slopes in the vicinity of the mining operations. The paper presents design / determination methods of areas where explosives may / may not be used in conditions of maximum safety in terms of seismic intensity, thus protecting the population and the civil / industrial objectives in the area of the mining work. The obtained results are extracted from a research study carried out for the opening in operation of a new mining deposit, having as reference calculations and theoretical interpretations related to the conditions established for the development of the blasting works.

New insights into the relationship between seismic intensity measures and nonlinear structural response

This paper focuses on the probabilistic analysis of Intensity Measures (IMs) and Engineering Demand Parameters (EDPs) in the context of earthquake-induced ground motions. Several statistical properties, which are desirable in IMs when they are used to predict EDPs, have been analysed. Specifically, efficiency, sufficiency and steadfastness have been quantified for a set of IMs with respect to two EDPs: the maximum inter-storey drift ratio, MIDR, and the maximum floor acceleration, MFA. Steadfastness is a new statistical property proposed in this article, which is related to the ability of IMs to forecast EDPs for large building suites. In other words, this means that efficiency does not significantly vary when different types of buildings are simultanously considered in the statistical analyses. This property allows reducing the number of calculations when performing seismic risk estimations at urban level since, for instance, a large variety of fragility curves, representing specific building typologies, can be grouped together within a more generic one. The main sources of uncertainty involved in the calculation of the seismic risk have been considered in the analysis. To do so, the nonlinear dynamic responses of probabilistic multi-degree-of-freedom building models, subjected to a large data set of ground motion records, have been calculated. These models have been generated to simulate the dynamic behavior of reinforced concrete buildings whose number of stories vary from 3 to 13. 18 spectrum-, energy- and direct-accelerogram-based IMs have been considered herein. Then, from clouds of IM-EDP points, efficiency, sufficiency and steadfastness have been quantified. For MIDR, results show that IMs based on spectral velocity are more efficient and steadfast than the ones based on spectral acceleration; spectral velocity averaged in a range of periods, AvSv, has shown to be the most efficient IM with an adequate level of steadfastness. For MFA, spectral acceleration-based-IMs are more efficient than velocity-based ones. A comparison is also presented on the use of linear vs quadratic regression models, and their implications on the derivation of fragility functions. Concerning sufficiency, most of the 18 IMs analysed do not have this property. Nonetheless, multi-regression models have been employed to address this lack of sufficiency allowing to obtain a so-called ‘ideal’ IM.

Assessment results of soil properties by engineering-geophysical studies

В статье излагаются результаты инженерно-геофизических исследований на территории новой компрессорной станции Специального подземного хранилища газа (СПХГ) в г. Абовян (Армения). Учитывая то, что Республика Армения находится в сейсмоактивной зоне, проведение данных исследований является весьма актуальными, а новая компрессорная станция Специального подземного хранилища газа является особо важным объектом. Целью работы является выявление для данной территории особенности удельного электрического сопротивления грунтов, наличие блуждающих токов (БТ), оценка коррозийной агрессивности грунтов, изучение сейсмических условий и оценка ожидаемой сейсмической интенсивности на территории, намеченной под строительство. Методы работы. Определение удельного (кажущегося) электрического сопротивления грунтов исследуемой территории производилось методом электропрофилирования с использованием симметричной четырехэлектродной установки Веннера. В статье представлены пункты измерения удельного электрического сопротивления грунтов на территории новой компрессорной станции Абовянского СПХГ, выявлено наличие блуждающих токов, приведены таблицы степени коррозионной агрессивности грунтов, указаны места наличия опасного уровня блуждающих токов. Также проведены работы по сейсмическому микрорайонированию для определения величины ожидаемой сейсмической интенсивности конкретной территории компрессорной станции. Ожидаемая сейсмическая интенсивность на данной территории определена на основе анализа инженерно-геологических материалов с учетом результатов полевых инженерно-сейсмометрических инструментальных исследований. С помощью малоглубинной сейсморазведки были определены скорости распространения сейсмических волн. Измерения проводились горизонтально-ориентированным сейсмоприемником СМ-3 (вертикальный удар). Ударные волны создавались импульсным возбуждением. Для обеспечения необходимой мощности возбуждения импульсное воздействие создавалась с помощью падающего груза. Результаты работы. В статье приведены сейсмические условия территории, результаты сейсмометрических исследований,данные по наблюдениям микросейсм, спектры Фурье преобладающих периодов по некоторым точкам наблюдений, схема инженерно-сейсмометрических наблюдений. В результате проведенных исследований установлено, что грунтовые условия данной территории относятся к грунтам первой категории по сейсмическим свойствам. Ожидаемую сейсмическую опасность исследованной территории необходимо характеризовать следующими значениями: I=7 баллов или PGA=0,24 g. The article presents the results of engineering-geophysical studies on the territory of the new compressor station of the Special Underground Gas Storage (SPGS) in the city of Abovyan (Armenia). Considering that the Republic of Armenia is located in a seismically active zone, these studies are highly relevant, and the new compressor station of the Special Underground Gas Storage is especially important object. The Aim of the presented work is to identify the features of the specific electrical resistivity of soils, the presence of stray currents, assess the corrosive aggressiveness of soils, seismic conditions of the territory and the expected seismic intensity in the area designated for construction. Methods. The determination of the specific (apparent) electrical resistivity of the soils of the study area was carried out by the method of electrical profiling using symmetrical four-electrode Wenner setup. The article presents the points of measuring the electrical resistivity of soils in the territory of the new compressor station of the Abovyan SPGS, revealed the presence of stray currents, tables of the degree of corrosiveness of soils are given, the locations of the presence of a dangerous level of stray currents are indicated. Also works on seismic microzoning were carried out, the values of the expected seismic intensity of the compressor station territory were determined. The expected seismic intensity in this area has been determined based on analysis of engineering-geological materials, taking into account the results of field engineering-seismometric instrumental studies. By using shallow seismic surveys have determined the speed of seismic velocity. Measurements were carried out horizontally oriented seismic receiver SM-3 (vertical impact). Shock waves were generated by pulsed excitation. To provide the required excitation power the impulse action was created using a falling weight. Results. The article presents the seismic conditions of the territory, the results of seismometric studies, data on observations of microseisms, Fourier spectra of prevailing periods for some observation points, a scheme of engineering seismometric observations. As a result of the research carried out, it was found that that the soil conditions composing this territory belong to the soils of the first category in terms of seismic properties, the expected seismic hazard of the investigated area should be taken as I = 7 points or PGA = 0.24 g.

Results of fundamental and applied seismological research in the Magadan region in 2016-2020

The results of fundamental and applied research, carried out by Magadan Branch of GS RAS during 2016-2020 in Magadan and Chukotka regions are presenting. Estimation of Seismic hazard of Russia’s Northeast (Magadan region) and seismic hazard maps for recurrence periods of 500, 1000 and 5000 years in scale close to that of detailed seismic zoning (DSZ) were made in cooperation with Institute of the Earth’s Physics RAS. In course of this work the estimation of initial seismic intensity and parameters of possible ground shaking in areas of critical facilities of Magadan region were made. For all of them a seismic micro zonation was carried out with methods of direct earthquake registration and comparing acoustic impedance. As result, a seismic amplification and intensity of seismic impact on the soils under main critical facilities were obtaining. The research results are shown on detailed seismic zoning maps that are basic for building projects of objects above.

SEISMICITY of KAMCHATKA and COMMANDER ISLANDS in 2015

The seismicity review of Kamchatka and surrounding territories for 2015 is given. In the Kamchatka earthquake catalogue, the minimum local magnitude of completeness is MLmin=3.5, and for earthquakes with h≥350 km under the Okhotsk sea MLmin=3.6. The Kamchatka earthquake catalogue for 2015 with ML3.5, published in the Appendix to this issue, includes 1213 events. 92 earthquakes of the catalogue with ML=3.0–6.5 were felt in Kamchatka and surrounding areas with seismic intensity I=2–6 according to the MSK-64 scale. For all events with ML5.0 that occurred in 2015 in the KB GS RAS area of responsibility, an attempt to calculate the seismic moment tensor (SMT) was made. There are 32 such events in the regional catalogue. For 28 earthquakes the SMT and depth h of the equivalent point source were calculated successfully. The calculations were performed for the SMT double-couple model using a nonlinear algorithm. In 2015, a typical location of the earthquake epicenters was observed in the Kamchatka zone. In 2015, the seismicity level in all selected zones and in the region as a whole correspond to the background one according to the “SESL’09” scale. The number of recorded events with ML3.5 and strong earthquakes with ML5.0 is close to the average annual value. Anomalous and significant events were not recorded.