Choices and Criteria for Seismic Strengthening

Risk assessment is affected by large uncertainties, depending on hazard, structure, damage, and loss analysis. Crucial problems and choices may refer to: (a) hazard parameters, including the definition of appropriate ground motion levels and of their probability to occur; (b) level of knowledge about materials, geometry, detailing; (c) assessed damage and failure modes; and (d) resulting potential for step changes in performances.

The cost of attaining a high level of knowledge may significantly reduce the remaining resources, it is therefore important to favor resilient solutions with a creative adoption of appropriate strengthening strategies.

In this framework, this article discusses the possible criteria for the mitigation of seismic risk and some of the alternative choices that may be adopted for strengthening, with reference to:

(a)?the modification of damage and collapse modes strengthening individual elements or locallyincreasing the deformation capacity;

(b)?the insertion of additional systems resisting to horizontal actions;

(c)?the introduction of base isolation, with the objective of capacity-protecting the existingstructure;

(d)?the reduction of displacement demand by added damping or introducing tuned masssystems.

Alternative strengthening choices lead to different protection levels and imply different performances that are, in general, represented by non linear or step functions of a cost parameter of the intervention. From these considerations, conceptual “structure driven” strengthening criteria, based on a logical use of resources, are discussed.     

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STRENGTHENING AND RETROFITTING MEASURES FOR UNREINFORCED BRICK MASONRY MODEL UNDER CYCLIC TESTING

An experimental study on half-scale brick-masonry models with different strengthening and retrofitting measures has been studied under cyclic loading in a quasi-static test facility. The strengthening measures undertaken for the studies axe the horizontal bond beam at the lintel and sill level with a combination of vertical reinforcement at corners and openings. The retrofitting measures studied are grouting with epoxy-sand-mortar and cement-grout-injection with welded wire mesh in the cracked region. The tests reveal that the horizontal bond beam at lintel level with vertical reinforcement is effective in reducing the cracking above the lintel level. The insertion of an additional sill-band signi-ficantly reduces the cracking in walls. The epoxy-sand-mortar techniques for retrofitting of cracked regions prove to be effective enough to restore the initial strength, stiffness and deformation capacity. Although specimen retrofitted with cement-grout-injection with welded wire mesh is effective to regain the ultimate strength yet the brittle failure is observed as the specimen is stressed beyond the elastic limit.     

明代石拱桥永昌桥的加固修缮技术研究

为明晰明代石拱桥的结构性能,并提出适宜的加固修缮方法,以典型的明代石拱桥永昌桥为例进行研究。首先对其进行精确测绘,获得其准确可靠的几何信息;然后对其建筑形制、构造工艺及残损状况进行研究,为结构性能分析提供依据;接着利用ANSYS软件建立永昌桥主体结构的有限元模型,进行包括荷载影响分析、重要度分析和裂缝分析的结构性能研究;最后基于现状分析和结构性能研究,通过对比拱背套钢筋混凝土拱加固法和拱背粘贴碳纤维布加固法对石拱桥的结构性能的影响,提出了明代石拱桥永昌桥的加固修缮方法。研究成果可为同类型石拱桥的加固修缮提供参考。     

传统方法加固馆藏浮放文物抗震性能试验

为探索馆藏浮放文物的有效抗震加固方法,采用振动台试验手段,研究了传统方法加固浮放文物的抗震性能。基于故宫博物院某展柜原型尺寸,制作了1:1比例陈列柜模型。在陈列柜内浮放一轻质陶瓷文物,分别考虑采用砂子、塑料卡、鱼线、橡皮泥及磁铁加固文物,进行了振动台试验。通过白噪声激励,获得了陈列柜基频分布;通过输入不同强度、不同类型的地震波,获得了不同方法加固条件下陈列柜和文物的位移响应、加速度响应和和动力放大系数,评价了不同方法的加固效果。结果表明:陈列柜的基频与输入地震波相差较大,这是陈列柜震害不明显的主要原因之一;传统方法加固文物后,输入地震波的加速度仍有一定放大,但是与加固前文物相比,文物的位移和加速度响应均有所减小,且文物因摇晃幅度而产生倾覆的可能性减小。此外,从减小文物加速度响应峰值角度考虑,橡皮泥和鱼线加固文物效果优于其它方法。试验结果可为文物防震保护研究提供较全面的参考。     

Full-Scale Shaking Table Tests on a Substandard RC Building Repaired and Strengthened with Post-Tensioned Metal Straps

The effectiveness of a novel Post-Tensioned Metal Strapping (PTMS) technique at enhancing the seismic behavior of a substandard RC building was investigated through full-scale, shake-table tests during the EU-funded project BANDIT. The building had inadequate reinforcement detailing in columns and joints to replicate old construction practices. After the bare building was initially damaged significantly, it was repaired and strengthened with PTMS to perform additional seismic tests. The PTMS technique improved considerably the seismic performance of the tested building. While the bare building experienced critical damage at an earthquake of PGA = 0.15 g, the PTMS-strengthened building sustained a PGA = 0.35 g earthquake without compromising stability.     

Contribution of Earthquake-Resistant Design for Reinforced Concrete Buildings when Coping with External Explosions

Fanaticism, as well as social and economic crises, has provoked a significant increase in the frequency of terrorist attacks during the last two decades and, when considered together with possible accidental explosions, has lead to a higher awareness among involved staff (owners, designers, constructors, government entities). Additionally, the fact that some buildings or targets are in seismic areas while others are not leads to a blast-loading behavior comparison. This article examines the contribution of earthquake-resistant design when coping with ground-surface explosions through nonlinear seismic assessment static analyses and nonlinear time-history analyses of blast resistance assessment using finite elements.     

Design and Assessment Spectra for Retrofitting of RC Buildings

This article presents a novel approach for deriving Retrofit Design Spectra (RDS) that are intended for use in preliminary development and assessment of seismic upgrading scenarios of existing structures. The new spectral representation relates the characteristics of the intervention method chosen as the core of the upgrading strategy, with the ductility and strength demand of the retrofitted structure. The methodology utilized for the derivation of the RDS is based on the Capacity Spectrum Method where the capacity curve is described by relationships for global and local intervention methods that are parameterized in terms of fundamental response quantities. The proposed spectra provide direct insight into the complex interrelation between the characteristics of the intervention method and the implications of the upgrading scenario on demand. Alternative retrofit solutions are thus assessed in an efficient way. A case study is used to illustrate practical application of the new approach.     

故宫太和殿木构件现状分析及加固方法研究

为加强对古建筑的维修保护,故宫博物院对太和殿进行了勘查,发现如下木构件问题:西山挑檐檩跨中挠度过大;三次间正身顺梁及山面扶柁木榫头位置下沉10cm;明间藻井下垂13cm,井口爬梁已经开裂.通过运用结构力学相关方法,对这些构件的结构现状进行理论分析,研究了问题产生的原因,讨论了相应的加固方案,解决了这些问题.结果表明:西山挑檐檩虽然挠度较大,但强度满足要求,不需要加固;山面扶柁木榫头下沉的原因是局部受弯强度不足,但已通过支顶解决该问题;正身顺梁榫头下沉的可能原因是材料老化,局部受拉、弯、剪强度不足,通过采用钢木组合结构进行了加固;藻井下沉的原因是木材老化,井口爬梁抗弯及抗压承载力不足,通过采用扁钢箍加固的方法进行了加固.研究结果可为古建筑保护及修缮提供参考.     

故宫古建筑结构可靠性问题研究

为保护故宫古建筑,采用归类汇总与理论分析相结合的方法,研究了故宫古建筑木结构的典型残损问题。基于大量现场勘查及理论分析结果,对故宫古建筑存在的典型可靠性问题进行了分类汇总,分析了产生这些问题的原因,提出了可行性加固建议。通过典型算例,对古建筑木结构加固方法进行了深入论证。结果表明:故宫古建筑木结构的柱子、斗栱、榫卯节点、梁架、屋顶、墙体等各部位都容易产生开裂、糟朽、变形、拔榫等可靠性问题并影响结构整体的稳定性能,而这些问题的产生原因主要与木结构的构造特征、木材材料性质及施工保养等因素有关;针对不同的可靠性问题,采取合理有效的加固方法,可提高古建筑结构整体的稳定性能。     

改性有机硅在模拟漆底彩绘保护中的应用研究

为探索防止秦兵马俑彩绘的生漆底层和陶体脱落的方法,用设计的几种以有机硅为基体的加固剂将老化生漆片分别黏附到经过预处理的陶表面,从而针对加固剂固化速率、渗透性、铺展性、粘结强度等五方面进行了比较实验。结果表明,加固剂的粘结强度与加固剂本身、加固剂固化温度以及固化后的成膜比例有关;改性有机硅与陶体以及生漆底层均有很好的润湿性,固化工艺合适即能起到很好的粘结效果;配方A3(有机硅、二甲苯、三乙醇胺混合体)具有良好的综合性能,在秦俑彩绘保护中可能有一定的应用前景。