A low computational cost seismic analyses framework for 3D tunnel-form building structures

Numerical modeling of tunnel-form buildings entails the utilization of 3D finite element models consisting of large numbers of shell and fiber elements. Accordingly, the non-linear analysis of such models under seismic excitations is both time-consuming and computationally expensive, especially in the case of large scale structures. To address this challenge, this study investigates the efficiency of the Endurance Time Method (ETM) to evaluate the structural responses, location of damage initiation, and the overall performance of tunnel-form structures under the Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) hazard level. Comparison with results derived from pushover and time-history analyses indicated the acceptable accuracy of ETM with significantly less computational efforts. The computation time required for the ETM was less than 25% of pushover (until total failure of the system) and time history analyses on the five- and ten-story tunnel-form buildings. The maximum differences between the results of ETM and time history analysis used to estimate the story drifts and shear forces were 4–6% and 1–4.5%, respectively. Considering the reliability of ETM and its appropriate accuracy, this method can be considered as a suitable alternative to the conventional methods to provide a low computational cost seismic analyses framework for non-linear tunnel-form buildings and similar structural systems

Seismic performance assessment of eccentrically braced steel frames with energy-absorbing links under sequential earthquakes

Recent studies have indicated the need of considering aftershocks in the seismic design/assessment of structures. This article investigates the effect of sequential mainshock and aftershock earthquakes on eccentrically braced steel frames with vertical energy-absorbing links. To achieve this, 4, 8 and 12 storey frame buildings are modelled in Perform3D® software considering non-linear behaviour of materials and components. The frames are subjected to a set of 12 main earthquake records corresponding to the required hazard level, and then subsequent aftershocks are applied using incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). To reduce the computational cost, an alternative approach is also adopted by applying the main earthquakes to the system followed by pushover analyses on the damaged building assuming a lateral load distribution proportional to the shape of the first vibration mode. Subsequently, the fragility curves are obtained for different damage levels, before and after the main earthquake. The results show that the eccentric braced frames with vertical links subjected to sequential earthquakes comply well with the performance levels of the Iranian Seismic Code. This study contributes toward the assessment and seismic validation of structures with eccentrically braced steel frames with vertical energy-absorbing links to sequential earthquakes

Multilevel seismic demand prediction for acceleration-sensitive non-structural components

Existing methods to predict the seismic demand of non-structural components in current seismic design guidelines do not generally consider the intensity of the design earthquake and the expected performance level of the lateral load bearing system. This limitation is especially important in performance-based design of buildings and industrial facilities in seismic regions. In this study, a novel multilevel approach is proposed to predict the seismic demand of acceleration-sensitive non-structural components using two new parameters obtained based on site seismicity and seismic capacity of the lateral load carrying system. The main advantage of the new method is to take into account the seismic hazard level and the expected performance level of structure in the calculation of the seismic demand of non-structural components. Based on the results of a comprehensive reliability study on 5 and 10-storey steel frame structures, the efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated compared to the conventional seismic design methods. The results, in general, indicate that the current standards may provide inaccurate predictions and lead to unsafe design solutions for acceleration-sensitive non-structural components, especially in the case of higher seismic intensity or medium performance levels. It is shown that the estimated accelerations by NIST and ASCE suggested equations are up to 50% and 80% lower than the minimum demand accelerations calculated for the studied structures, respectively, under the selected design conditions. Based on the results of this study, a simple but efficient design equation is proposed to estimate the maximum acceleration applied to non-structural components for different earthquake intensity levels and performance targets

Probabilistic Seismic Performance Model for Tunnel Form Concrete Building Structures

Despite widespread construction of mass-production houses with tunnel form structural system across the world, unfortunately no special seismic code is published for design of this type of construction. Through a literature survey, only a few studies are about the seismic behavior of this type of structural system. Thus based on reasonable numerical results, the seismic performance of structures constructed with this technique considering the effective factors on structural behavior is highly noteworthy in a seismic code development process. In addition, due to newness of this system and observed damages in past earthquakes, and especially random nature of future earthquakes, the importance of probabilistic approach and necessity of developing fragility curves in a next generation Performance Based Earthquake Engineering (PBEE) frame work are important. In this study, the seismic behavior of 2, 5 and 10 story tunnel form structures with a regular plan is examined. First, the performance levels of these structures under the design earthquake (return period of 475 years) with time history analysis and pushover method are assessed, and then through incremental dynamic analysis, fragility curves are extracted for different levels of damage in walls and spandrels. The results indicated that the case study structures have high capacity and strength and show appropriate seismic performance. Moreover, all three structures subjected were in immediate occupancy performance level

Seismic reliability assessment of RC tunnel-form structures with geometric irregularities using a combined system approach

Tunnel-form structures represent a new type of structural systems with enhanced earthquake resistance and considerably reduced construction times, if compared to conventional reinforced concrete frames and dual systems. Due to the limited information about the seismic performance of tunnel-form buildings in the presence of vertical and horizontal irregularities, seismic design standards generally prevent such irregularities and therefore impose significant architectural limitations. To address this issue, a liability assessment is here conducted on irregular 5- and 10-storey tunnel-form buildings subjected to 12 different earthquakes, representing a design spectrum. The structural response of these buildings is obtained under both Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) and Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) hazard levels by using time-history and nonlinear static (pushover) analyses. The reliability of the buildings is then assessed by using a novel combined system approach, in which the structural effects of walls and coupling beams at each storey are modeled as series and parallel subsystems. The results of this study show that, despite the geometric irregularities, all the structural elements could satisfy the Immediate Occupancy (IO) performance level under both DBE and MCE scenarios with over 95% reliability. Therefore, enforcing the regularity for tunnel-form structures in current seismic design guidelines appears to be too conservative; the results of this study can then prove useful for a more efficient design of irregular tunnel-form structures in seismic regions

Seismic reliability assessment of RC tunnel-form structures with geometric irregularities using a combined system approach

Tunnel-form structures represent a new type of structural systems with enhanced earthquake resistance and considerably reduced construction times, if compared to conventional reinforced concrete frames and dual systems. Due to the limited information about the seismic performance of tunnel-form buildings in the presence of vertical and horizontal irregularities, seismic design standards generally prevent such irregularities and therefore impose significant architectural limitations. To address this issue, a liability assessment is here conducted on irregular 5- and 10-storey tunnel-form buildings subjected to 12 different earthquakes, representing a design spectrum. The structural response of these buildings is obtained under both Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) and Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) hazard levels by using time-history and nonlinear static (pushover) analyses. The reliability of the buildings is then assessed by using a novel combined system approach, in which the structural effects of walls and coupling beams at each storey are modeled as series and parallel subsystems. The results of this study show that, despite the geometric irregularities, all the structural elements could satisfy the Immediate Occupancy (IO) performance level under both DBE and MCE scenarios with over 95% reliability. Therefore, enforcing the regularity for tunnel-form structures in current seismic design guidelines appears to be too conservative; the results of this study can then prove useful for a more efficient design of irregular tunnel-form structures in seismic regions