P Malangone

Seismic performance assessment of masonry structures with a modified “concrete” model

This paper deals with the proposal of a constitutive model for the FEM nonlinear analysis of masonry structures as well as the use of a nonlinear static adaptive procedure in order to estimate the inelastic response and seismic performance of masonry buildings. In particular, the mechanical behaviour of masonry was simulated as a continuous, homogeneous and isotropic material, using a “concrete” smeared-crack model modified by an interaction with the plasticity Drucker–Prager domain as well as the definition of a new compression failure surface. The calibration and validation of the FEM model was carried out through a sensitivity analysis of the different mechanical parameters, which were based on the experimental data available in current literature. Subsequently, the proposed material constitutive model was used for the seismic performance evaluation of masonry buildings. With this aim, an incremental non-iterative procedure based on the capacity spectrum method and inelastic demand response spectra was applied. According to performance-based engineering, this procedure allows for the correlation between the different risk levels and the expected performance levels for each limit state to be taken into account. In conclusion, the results obtained from the FEM model were compared with those from a well-known macro-element model.

A Modal Procedure for Seismic Analysis of Non-linear Base-Isolated Multistorey Structures

A modal procedure for non-linear analysis of multistorey structures with high-damping base-isolation systems was proposed. Two different isolation devices were considered in the analysis: an high-damping laminated rubber bearing and a lead-rubber bearing. Starting from deformational properties verified by tests, the isolation systems were characterized using three different analytical models (an Elastic Viscous, a Bilinear Hysteretic and a Wens Model) with parameters depending from maximum lateral strain. After non-linear modelling of isolation and lateral-force-resisting systems, the effects of material non-linearities were considered as pseudo-forces applied to the equivalent linear system (Pseudo-Force Method) and the formally linearized equations of motion were uncoupled by the transformation defined by the complex mode shapes. The modal responses were finally obtained with an extension of Nigam–Jennings technique to non-linear and non-classically damped systems, in conjunction with an iterative technique searching for non-linear contributions satisfying equations of motion and constitutive laws. Since the properties of the isolated structure usually change with maximun lateral strain of isolation bearings, the integration of a new set of governing equations was required for each design-displacement value. The procedure proposed was described in detail and then applied for the determination of modal and total seismic responses in some real cases. At first, a very good agreement between non-linear responses obtained with the proposed mode superposition and with a direct integration method was observed. Then a comparison of results obtained with the three different analytical models of the isolation bearings was carried out. At last, the exact modal response obtained with analytical models depending from the design displacement of the isolation bearings was compared with two different approximated solutions, evaluated using mode shapes and isolation properties, respectively, calculated under simplified hypothesis.© 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Seismic Retrofit of a Multispan Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridge with Friction Pendulum Devices

The paper deals with the proposal and application of a procedure for the seismic retrofit of an existing multispan prestressed concrete girder bridge defined explicitly for the use of friction pendulum devices as an isolation system placed between piers top and deck. First, the outcomes of the seismic risk assessment of the existing bridge, performed using an incremental noniterative Nonlinear Static Procedure, based on the Capacity Spectrum Method as well as the Inelastic Demand Response Spectra, are described and discussed. Then, a specific multilevel design process, based on a proper application of the hierarchy of strength considerations and the Direct Displacement-Based Design approach, is adopted to dimension the FPD devices. Furthermore, to assess the impact of the FPD nonlinear behaviour on the bridge seismic response, a device model that reproduces the variation of the normal force and friction coefficient, the bidirectional coupling, and the large deformation effects during nonlinear dynamic analyses was used. Finally, the paper examines the effects of the FPD modelling parameters on the behaviour of the retrofitted bridge and assesses its seismic response with the results pointing out the efficiency of the adopted seismic retrofit solution.