Kazutaka Shirai

Earthquake Response Analysis of the Historic Reinforced Concrete Temple Otaniha Hakodate Betsuin after Seismic Retrofitting with Friction Dampers

ABSTRACT The main hall of Otaniha Hakodate Betsuin completed in 1915 is a historic reinforced concrete temple located in Hakodate, Japan. This temple was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2007. Seismic retrofitting using supplemental vibration control devices, such as friction dampers, may be an effective approach for upgrading the aseismic performance of the temple. In the present study, nonlinear response analysis using two numerical three-dimensional frame models subjected to strong input motions was conducted to predict the aseismic performance of the temple without retrofitting and after retrofitting with friction dampers. The results indicate that the installation of the friction dampers would enhance the aseismic performance of the temple by improving the energy dissipation, stiffness, and seismic capacity of the temple. However, the increase in the seismic capacity of the main story achieved by incorporating the dampers would increase the response acceleration at the roof level.