Juan Carlos Vielma

Seismic and structural response of a framed four level building with RC and steel structure designed according to current Venezuelan codes

This study determines the structural behavior of a four level framed building with composite RC and steel structure designed according Venezuelan seismic codes. The structural system consists of RC frames in the first three levels and steel frames in the fourth. It was performed linear analysis to design all structural elements. Capacity curves and performance points were obtained with pushover analysis. Results showed greater ductility in the X frames’ direction and greater resistance reserve in the external frames. Performing points showed adequate resistance values but low stiffness in two Y frames’ directions. Seismic action is carried on through synthetic accelerograms defined by the seismic codes used in this study. Dynamic analysis is used to compute parameters of ductility, over strength and displacements. In one case the collapse Limit State was reached, implying a general collapse of the building. Incremental dynamic analysis was performed to obtain fragility curves and damage probability matrix; a very high probability of significant lateral displacement and damage was evidenced from this despite a normative design of structural elements.

Seismic response and torsional effects of RC structure with irregular plant and variations in diaphragms, designed with Venezuelan codes

The objective of this study is to determine the seismic response and torsional effects of an existing Reinforced Concrete building with irregular plant and five levels projected according to an older version of Venezuelan seismic design code. Two structures were analysed: the original building and a redesigned version. Nonlinear static analysis and nonlinear 3D dynamic analysis were applied, based on registers of three synthetic accelerograms compatible with the elastic design spectrum for the used code. In 3D analysis, four structures were simulated, with and without rigid diaphragms so as to compare the seismic behaviour of the buildings. Through this nonlinear analysis parameters were determined that define the behaviour of the structure, torsional moments and rotations in columns reached for simulated buildings. Also, to obtain damage fragility curves for five states damage were generated. Results show that the original structure has an inadequate resistant behaviour and a high probability of exceeding the moderate damage state, while the redesigned structure presents good performance under seismic events according to the existing code. It was also observed that maximum torsional effects occur in the entrant corners of the irregular plant, which are reduced in mid-rise buildings by using a rigid diaphragm.

Seismic Evaluation of Low Rise RC Framed Building Designed According to Venezuelan Codes

Along its history, Venezuela has been severely affected by destructive earthquakes. Approximately 80% of the population lives in seismically active areas, where have occurred destructive earthquakes even in recent times; The seismic hazard, inadequate design and construction of buildings as well as the damage occurred from previous earthquakes, demonstrate a high vulnerability in existing buildings. Then it is essential to continuously make progress and research in the field of earthquake engineering and upgrade the seismic design codes. Seismic upgrade requires the evaluation or predictions of the expected damage to structures at the time of an earthquake of a certain severity occur. From this prediction it can be defined solutions for the reduction of structural vulnerability.

Seismic Response of RC Framed Buildings Designed According to Eurocodes

In order to ensure that a structure does not collapse when subjected to the action of strong ground motions, modern codes include prescriptions in order to guarantee the ductile behavior of the elements and of the whole structure. Obviously, it would be of special importance for the designer to know during the design process the extent of damage that the structure will suffer under the seismic action specified by the design spectrum and also the probability of occurrence of different states of behaviour. The incremental nonlinear static analysis procedure used in this paper allows formulating a new, simplified, seismic damage index and damage thresholds associated with five limit states. The seismic behavior of a set of regular reinforced concrete buildings designed according to the EC-2/EC-8 prescriptions for a high seismic hazard level is then studied using the proposed damage index and damage states. Fragility curves and damage probability matrices corresponding to the performance point are calculated for the studied buildings. The obtained results show that the collapse damage state is not reached in the buildings designed according the prescriptions of EC-2/EC-8 and also that the damage does not exceed the irreparable damage limit state.