ABSTRACT Seismic response of liquid sloshing in horizontally baffled rectangular container on deformable ground is evaluated. An equivalent mechanical model of baffled sloshing is developed. The strip partition method is presented to analytically derive the foundation impedances reproduced by nested lumped-parameter model. The system equations of motion are constructed via applying Hamilton’s principle

ABSTRACT This work presents the results of a numerical investigation on the effect of light timber retrofit systems on the global response of URM cavity-wall buildings. The building object of the study is a two-storey cavity-wall terraced house, retrofitted with OSB panels and timber frames. The Applied Element Method, was chosen for the numerical analyses. Numerical models, calibrated on experimental

ABSTRACT This study experimentally investigates the reliability of testing idealized prisms to simulate failure mechanisms in RC walls. In-plane cyclic tests on three flexural walls with different transverse reinforcement detailing and axial tests on three rectangular RC prisms idealized as wall boundary zones are conducted and the experimental responses are discussed in this paper. The results confirmed

ABSTRACT Quasi-static tests of five full-scale steel tube-reinforced high-strength concrete (STRHSC) column with ultra-high strength steel bars (UHSS) were conducted. Due to the large elastic range of UHSS, the column can obtain obvious drift-hardening behavior to reduce residual deformation. The research results reveal that steel fiber-reinforced STRHSC columns with UHSS had superior damage control

Published in Journal of Earthquake Engineering (Ahead of Print, 2022)

ABSTRACT It is well known that the seismic structural reliability is not explicitly controlled in design carried out according to seismic contemporary building codes; that is, those enforcing a simplified version of performance-based design. This is even more true for structures designed with obsolete seismic codes or without any seismic provisions at all, which constitute most of the building stock

ABSTRACT On 30.10.2020, a Mw = 6.6 magnitude earthquake occurred at the offshore Aegean Sea, hitting the western coast of Turkey and Samos Island of Greece, causing loss of lives and properties. In the scope of this study, a site investigation was conducted at the earthquake-hit area of İzmir (Turkey), where 17 buildings (7 partially, 10 totally) were collapsed and many of them were heavily damaged

ABSTRACT A unified procedure for assessing the effectiveness of modelling strategies for existing buildings is proposed. The procedure is applied to unreinforced masonry and cast-in-place and precast reinforced concrete real buildings struck by earthquakes. A cross-structural-typology Matching Index (MI) is proposed. It aims to synthetically compare numerical outcomes with the evidence of the damage

ABSTRACT Nonlinear finite-element model updating (FEMU) is a promising approach for post-event damage assessment of civil structures. This paper conducted FEMU for a full-scale reinforced concrete bridge column tested under a sequence of earthquakes and examined the evolution of seismic damage across different earthquake ground motions. It was found that using experimental data, FEMU can be applied

ABSTRACT Safety assessment of vehicles crossing highway interchanges during earthquakes by reliability-based numerical simulations is presented in this paper. The assessment was performed for two limit states: vehicle rollover and sideslipping accidents. Simulations were conducted using three-dimensional finite element models of two existing highway interchanges consisting of straight and curved bridges

ABSTRACT Spectra-compatible artificial ground motions are used extensively in the time history analysis of nuclear power plants. Owing to reasons such as the dense controlling frequency points and stringent requirements for the number of small response points, it is difficult for the conventional matching methods to generate artificial ground motions that are highly compatible with multi-damping design

ABSTRACT In this paper, a modified empirical large-territorial-scale procedure to assess the seismic vulnerability of aggregate buildings in urban areas located within a highly seismic context is proposed. The methodology is applied to a group of unreinforced masonry (URM) aggregates located in the Yungay’s historic center in downtown Santiago, Chile. This assessment was carried out by modifying and

ABSTRACT This paper presents the seismic behavior of a precast concrete frame with buckling-restrained braces (BRBs-PC frame) and analyzes the structural failure mode caused by the horizontal force of BRBs. Two half-scale PC frames, with and without BRBs, were designed and tested using a pseudo-static test. During the test, the BRBs-PC frame exhibited a failure mode of beam-hinge with BRBs. When the

ABSTRACT Five existing unreinforced masonry buildings, built in different Italian cities in a relatively recent time frame, were selected to study the seismic behaviour of modern existing structures, not designed to withstand seismic actions. The buildings were modelled using an equivalent-frame approach, adopting, and comparing two nonlinear constitutive laws and introducing specific modelling strategies

ABSTRACT The seismic passive earth pressure is typically calculated by a pseudo static analysis by the PGA on the ground surface which is often assumed to be constant within the soil mass. This may result in an underestimation of the limit load. On the other hand, variations of the acceleration field over time and space render the interpretation of the seismic limit load either very difficult, if a

ABSTRACT In the present investigation, the scattering characteristics of Love waves due to the surface irregularity in a transversely isotropic layered poro-viscoelastic rock structure have been studied. The effects of the anisotropy parameter and porosity parameter of the upper layer on the phase and attenuation coefficient of Love waves have been analyzed. The expressions for the induced reflected

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a novel semi-rigid rocking wall-floor connection. To study its seismic behavior, a preliminary study using finite element modeling (FEM) has been conducted to perceive the rocking wall response towards the precast plank before conducting a physical experimental testing in the laboratory. The finite element model was developed to investigate the lateral quasi-static-load

ABSTRACT The evaluation of retrofitting alternatives through multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approaches allows an optimal selection based on a ranking system. This rank depends on evaluation parameters that assess particular aspects of the retrofitting options and influence the selection of the most advantageous alternative. Moreover, when integrating uncertainty of the input parameters into

ABSTRACT This work presents a comprehensive strategy for analysing the complex seismic response of five Italian historical URM buildings, corresponding to different periods until 1920s. One distinctive feature of historical buildings is the need for integrating global modelling and local response of structural portions, due to possible activation of local failure modes interacting with the overall

ABSTRACT The conditional mean spectrum (CMS) and its generalized forms, like the generalized CMS (GCMS), and the CMS conditioned at the logarithm-average spectral acceleration over a period range (CMS-AvgSa), are anchored on a conditional period (or periods) with a target hazard level. This study evaluated the vector hazard of multiple spectral accelerations (Sa) at different periods for CMS, GCMS

ABSTRACT The severe damage and functionality loss of hospitals resulting from damage to hospital nonstructural components and medical equipment are frequently reported following earthquakes. Thus, there is an increasing need to understand the performance of medical equipment during an earthquake. In the current study, we conducted a series of shaking table tests to evaluate the seismic performance

ABSTRACT Recently, it was reported that seismically detailed beam-column joint suffered from joint damage during earthquake. Performance of geopolymer as repair material for seismically detailed beam-column joint following removal and replacement technique under cyclic loading is yet to be explored. Experimental program was carried out to examine suitability of geopolymer mortar (GM) and steel fiber

ABSTRACT Traditional vulnerability methodologies rely on collecting building data through time consuming surveys and visual screening. Geospatial infrastructure systems have rapidly evolved and today we can access massive geospatial data. Digital cadastral databases combine location, attributes, and temporal information for building stock. This paper proposes a GIS-based framework to estimate seismic

SUMMARY This research paper focuses on the development of ground motion models for simulating the main characteristics of recorded earthquake accelerograms induced by geothermal power plants (GPPs) operation. In this regard, firstly, a worldwide database for the GPP-induced earthquakes is gathered, containing 110 events and 664 recorded accelerograms. All the data are processed using a combined denoising

ABSTRACT Displacement spectrum is an essential aspect in displacement-based seismic design (DBSD) philosophy that, comparing to force-based, describes in a more explicit way the structural response and the damage. To better apply DBSD, the displacement spectrum model in period ranging up to 15 s is rephrased using recent high-quality digital strong motion data worldwide, particularly from China territory

ABSTRACT A resilient rocking steel column base (RRSCB) installed with composite combination disc spring (CCDS) is proposed in this paper. The restoring force model and energy calculation formulae of the RRSCB are derived by the theoretical analyses and energy conservation law, respectively. A refined finite element model validated by the cyclic loading tests is established with the aid of ABAQUS to

ABSTRACT This paper presents a practical procedure using nonlinear time-history analysis to assess the seismic demand of reinforced concrete buildings considering nonlinear soil effects. The purpose of this paper is to employ a spectral method to avoid soil-structure-interaction analysis considering nonlinear site-specific conditions. In this regard, structural models were assessed by dynamic analysis

ABSTRACT This study investigates the seismic response of archetype infilled reinforced concrete buildings representative of the existing Italian residential building stock by focusing on the modelling aspects of the existing infills, including their failure modes and interaction with the frame. The study compares the seismic response of the considered buildings, investigated through nonlinear static

ABSTRACT Correlating different intensity measures (IMs) enables the joint consideration of multiple IMs in various performance-based earthquake engineering applications, such as ground motion selection. The correlations between the spectral input energy and spectral accelerations have not been previously examined. This study develops a correlation model quantifying the uncertainties due to GMPE selection

ABSTRACT This study investigates the seismic response of reinforced concrete buildings designed according to Italian regulations and construction practices for three different post-WWII periods, up to the 1990s. Additional key investigated parameters are the number of stories and the site hazard. The main issues related to non-seismic and early seismic design practices are discussed. The study compares

ABSTRACT The effects of inclination on the seismic performance of historical masonry towers were qualitatively studied in this paper. For this purpose, a shaking table test was conducted with a 1/8 scaled masonry tower model and the inclination was simulated artificially by introducing a rigid body rotation at bottom. The dynamic characteristics, crack patterns, and seismic responses of the scaled

ABSTRACT A reliable numerical procedure is proposed for the geometric nonlinear dynamic analysis of suspension bridges subjected to earthquake excitations. The geometric nonlinearities of cable members are captured by the catenary element derived from exact analytical expressions of elastic catenary, while the geometric nonlinearities of tower and girder members are predicted by nonlinear beam element

ABSTRACT This paper presents the bidirectional (in-plane and out-of-plane) cyclic performance of two-storied precast concrete cladding panel assemblies designed to accommodate, through a ‘rocking’ mechanism, in-plane and out-of-plane inter-story drifts expected in major earthquakes. Two sub-assemblies comprising four rocking precast concrete panels oriented parallel and perpendicular to the loading

ABSTRACT Performance of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)-laminated rubber isolators has been investigated through theoretical and experimental analyses. Effective horizontal stiffness of FRP rubber isolator is analyzed by the cyclic quasi-static experiment. A 1/3 scale shake table tests have been carried out to assess the seismic behavior and the efficiency of the FRP-laminated rubber isolator under

ABSTRACT This paper presents a numerical approach to construct the seismic probabilistic capacity models for the transversal lining section of circular tunnels. The influence of the lining dimension, reinforcement ratio, and properties of the concrete, reinforcement steel, and soil are considered. Two capacity measures, the bending moment M and the diametric distortion Δd/d, are considered, and each

ABSTRACT To mitigate longitudinal vibration of long-span railway suspension bridges, a Combined Viscous-Steel Damping System (CVSDS) is put forward in this paper. In the CVSDS, the viscous damper is expected to work under train braking and frequent earthquakes, while the steel damper can resist rare earthquakes. Moreover, a fuse-lock device is proposed to work as the switch between the aforementioned

ABSTRACT In densely-populated cities, complex site-city interaction (SCI) effects can occur and may result in non-negligible influences on the input motions to buildings. Due to its complexity, topographic amplification has not yet been considered in most SCI investigations, particularly in experimental tests. This study conducted seven sets of shaking table tests incorporating complex terrains. The

ABSTRACT For inland cities with high concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, the seismic performance of RC structures deteriorates over time. In this study, a previously developed concrete carbonation and corrosion model was introduced to the framework of seismic fragility analysis to investigate the effects of environmental factors on the seismic performance of RC structures, considering carbon

ABSTRACT The structural systems should maintain their strength, stiffness and ductility capacity under seismic effects. In reinforced concrete (RC) structures, the confinement effect provides these important features in the presence of the lateral reinforcements. Textile reinforced cementitious composites (TRCCs) have very good tensile, flexural and long-term performance. By using these multilayered

ABSTRACT For determining an appropriate retrofitting method for a bridge structure based on economy, this work proposes an annual-expected resilience index for a bridge to simulate the resilience-considered seismic risk that is caused by multiple seismic events in a given period. Along with the direct costs, the resilience-considered indirect costs are also included in the seismic risk and benefit–cost

ABSTRACT Pushover analysis as an efficient nonlinear static analysis method has been widely applied to the seismic inelastic performance evaluation of above-ground structures. Although it has the main advantage of high computational efficiency compared to nonlinear dynamic time-history analysis (THA), the assumption that the fundamental mode dominates structural response limits its application to long-period

ABSTRACT A novel self-centering braced double-column rocking bent (SBRB) consisting of a double-column rocking bent and traditional or self-centering energy dissipation braces is developed analytically and numerically to enhance the seismic resilience. The analytical model of the SBRB is established, and numerical models of the SBRB are built to evaluate its seismic performance. Numerical results indicate

ABSTRACT Unreinforced masonry (URM) is commonly used to make infill walls in reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings. Such infill walls are highly vulnerable to out-of-plane (OOP) seismic loading and this can result in huge economic losses and human casualties. Therefore, fragility assessment of URM infill walls under seismic loads is important in view of performing large-scale risk analysis. In this

ABSTRACT A total of six cantilever square concrete-encased CFST columns were fabricated for testing under both lateral load and constant compressive load. The debonded high-strength PSB 930 steel rebars were used as the longitudinal rebar to provide resilience for specimen columns. Experimental results indicated that the specimens with debonded PSB longitudinal rebars had smaller residual deformation

ABSTRACT This paper experimentally investigates the seismic performance of an innovative ‘rocking’ precast concrete cladding panel system. Quasi-static cyclic loading tests were conducted on a sub-assembly of three ‘rocking’ panel pairs attached to a 3D steel structure, with and without sealant in the vertical joints between adjacent panels. The sub-assembly included a flat panel pair, an L-shaped

ABSTRACT The present paper discusses similitude laws employed for the shaking-table tests of masonry structures with flexible diaphragms. Two tasks are tackled. First, the paper presents a literature review on similitude laws. The discussion focuses on Cauchy and Cauchy-Froude laws. Second, numerical analysis is performed to examine the accuracy and adequacy of the aforementioned two laws. Two previously

ABSTRACT The seismic performance of existing RC frame buildings seismically retrofitted by base isolation is examined. Two different types of isolation systems are considered, i.e.: rubber-based and friction-based isolation systems, respectively. Two different performance levels are examined, namely: Global collapse prevention and Usability preventing damage. Seismic performance is assessed by multi-stripe

ABSTRACT A probabilistic classification criterion was proposed to classify likely failure modes of reinforced concrete (RC) columns under seismic loading conditions. The accuracy and applicability of available flexure and shear strength models were scrutinized first to calculate the ratio of shear demand to shear strength (m). Then the probabilistic distribution characteristics of m, shear aspect ratio

ABSTRACT The effect on seismic demand of the soil-foundation compliance is investigated for a reinforced concrete frame building representative of Italian constructions from the 1970s. Design accounts for regulations, materials, preferred structure and foundation layouts and analysis methods of the period. Inelastic response history analysis for multiple motions at three intensities is carried out

ABSTRACT Direct displacement-based seismic design has been proposed for pallet-type steel storage racks. Damping models are developed in this study for pallet-type steel storage racks in the down-aisle and cross-aisle directions for use in direct displacement-based seismic design. The damping models are developed using results from reversed cyclic tests at a component level or at a system level. Jacobsen’s

ABSTRACT A buildings stock of 12,016 Reinforced Concrete (RC) buildings is investigated to propose vulnerability, fragility, and loss curves, as well as an Expected Annual Loss (EAL) assessment. The buildings data are collected within Da.D.O. database, considering the observed damage due to L’Aquila earthquake (2009). The adopted methodology allows us to add undamaged and not-surveyed buildings, not

ABSTRACT Modular building construction technique is increasingly promoted due to the application of various structural systems and building materials. In order to improve the constructability of inter-module connections in modular buildings, this study aims to develop post-tensioned inter-module connections (PTMCs) which can become an alternative to prevailing inter-module bolted connection details

ABSTRACT This study proposes a new type of reinforced concrete (RC) coupled shear wall with replaceable coupling beams and replaceable corner components (RCCs) installed at the bottom corners of wall piers. To assess the seismic performance of the new coupled shear wall and verify the proposed design methodology, four 1/2-scale specimens including one conventional RC coupled shear wall and three new

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to identify the probable location, time of occurrence, and magnitude of a predictive earthquake in a highly active seismotectonic zone. Within an identified spatiotemporal regime, seismic risk to property, and life has also been assessed due to the damage scenario of the predictive earthquake. A large area in western Himalaya was subjected to three parallel studies:

ABSTRACT Shallow crustal earthquakes (SCE) occur in different seismotectonic regions of the Iranian plateau. In this study, 10 ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) developed based on local, regional, and global data from SCE are considered as candidates to test their explanatory power against Iranian strong motion data. To show the applicability of candidate GMPEs in the plateau as a united region

ABSTRACT In order to identify the liquefaction potential, soil is considered as homogeneous horizontal layers in all previous studies. However, in reality, soil is composed of layers with some irregularities. Therefore, in the present research, the liquefaction potential of two layers of saturated sand is evaluated considering the irregular topography of layers. The effect of different topographies

ABSTRACT We present attenuation relations for peak ground velocity (PGV) and acceleration (PGA) for northeastern Mexico, where seismic activity has been underestimated over the years. We tested four models derived from a parametrical form previously proposed for intraplate earthquakes in Central Mexico but using regional data recorded by the Mexican National Seismological Service (Servicio Sismológico

ABSTRACT The residual displacement of column has significant effect on the post-earthquake functionality of bridge. In this paper, the nonlinear finite element model of a simply supported beam bridge was built. The seismic performance of reinforced concrete column, unbonded prestressed reinforced concrete (UBPRC) column, and fully prestressed column was compared. Quasi-static residual displacement

ABSTRACT Seismic vulnerability of speleothems may serve long-term seismic risk studies. For this reason, the seismic response of stalagmite is computed using a robust FEM model calibrated from free vibration records by Hilbert–Huang modal extraction. It is demonstrated that the stalagmite vibrations consist of pairs of closely coupled flexural natural modes with a negligible role of vertical excitations

ABSTRACT Bridges subjected to mainshock–aftershock sequences experience significant damage as a result of repeated shaking. Therefore, neglecting the effects of multiple earthquakes may lead to a considerable underestimation of bridges seismic vulnerability. The uncertainties in modeling bridge structural systems as well as the representation of seismic loads significantly affect the bridge vulnerability