Are Synthetic Accelerograms Suitable for Local Seismic Response Analyses at Near-Field Sites?

ABSTRACT Local seismic response (LSR) studies are considerably conditioned by the seismic input features due to the nonlinear soil behavior under dynamic loading and the subsurface site conditions (e.g., mechanical properties of soils and rocks and geological setting). The selection of the most suitable seismic input is a key point in LSR. Unfortunately, few recordings data are available at seismic stations in near-field areas. Then, synthetic accelerograms can be helpful in LSR analysis in urbanized near-field territories. Synthetic accelerograms are generated by simulation procedures that consider adequately supported hypotheses about the source mechanism at the seismotectonic region and the wave propagation path toward the surface. Hereafter, mainshocks recorded accelerograms at near-field seismic stations during the 2016–2017 Central Italy seismic sequence have been compared with synthetic accelerograms calculated by an extended finite-fault ground-motion simulation algorithm code. The outcomes show that synthetic seismograms can reproduce the high-frequency content of seismic waves at near-field areas. Then, in urbanized near-field areas, synthetic accelerograms can be fruitfully used in microzonation studies.

Physics-Based Ground Motion Simulations for the Prediction of the Seismic Vulnerability of Masonry Building Compounds in Mirandola (Italy)

The current paper aims at investigating the seismic capacity of a masonry building aggregate in the historical centre of Mirandola based on a reliable ground motion simulation procedure. The examined clustered building is composed of eleven structural units (SUs) mutually interconnected to each other, which are made of brick walls and are characterized by wooden floors poorly connected to the vertical structures. Non-linear static analyses are performed by adopting the 3Muri software to characterize the seismic capacity of both the entire aggregate and the individual SUs. In this framework, a multi-scenario physics-based approach is considered for the definition of the seismic input in terms of broadband seismic signals inclusive of source and site effects. Finally, the incidence of the seismic input variability is discussed for the prediction of the global capacity response of the case study building.

A simple seismic input model for estimating the seismic resistance of structures

The paper formulates the principles for shaping the design input, in particularly that the design input is not required to be similarto the real input. It is suggested that the seismic input should be set as a sinusoidal segment. This requires that the sinusoid be hazardous to the structure and causes it to reach the same limit state as a real earthquake. The amplitude of the sine wave is set equal to the average value of the peak boosts. The frequency of the exposure is set as dangerous for the structure to be designed and the duration is set according to the frequency of the exposure. The proposed seismic modelling approach makes it possible to assess the potential for progressive collapse and low-cycle fatigue of the designed structure. The model is based on statistical data on past earthquakes to estimate the average level of peak accelerations and the correlation between the prevailing period and the duration of the seismic event. The proposed input model greatly simplifies the computational assessment of seismic stability and the modeling of inputs on the seismic platform.

Investigating the Effect of Viscous Yield Dampers on Concrete Structure Performance

Viscous dampers are one of the most effective devices in the energy consumption of the buildings. The passive hybrid system progressive applications cause each of the dampers to compensate for the weakness of the other system, thus increasing the efficiency of passive control of the structure. Speed-based viscous dampers will adjust the amount of depreciation force based on the acceleration and velocity entering the system. On the other hand, displacement-based surge dampers adjust the amount of depreciation force based on the displacement required. Therefore, considering the different performances of these two dampers, the effect of using both of them in one structure can be investigated. In this study, by combining these two dampers, the seismic behavior of concrete structures has been evaluated. To study them, 5- and 10-story structures have been designed using FE method and have been subjected to earthquake records. Historical analysis shows that the use of hybrid dampers reduces the amount of seismic input force to the structure and also the amount of floor drift is reduced due to the use of dampers and also the capacity of structures for these structures is increased. The results of the study show that the presence of dampers in the structure increases energy absorption and improves performance in the structure.

Effects of seismic input, fine crust and existing structure on liquefaction from centrifuge model tests

The results of dynamic centrifuge tests carried out to study the effects of seismic input, fine crust and existing structure on liquefaction triggering and manifestations are presented. The basic concept of the experimentation was to analyse the seismic behaviour of level ground, saturated, 14 m deep sandy deposits, homogeneous or stratified, subjected to increasing seismic excitations up to liquefaction, with or without a one degree of freedom structure on shallow foundations. The study was performed in the framework of the European project Horizon2020 “LIQUEFACT”.

Damping effect on seismic input energy and its verification by shake table tests

Seismic input energy per unit mass ( EI/m) imparted into a structure is a function of earthquake (duration, frequency content, amplitude etc.), soil (shear velocity, dominant period etc.) and the structural (vibrational periods etc.) characteristics. Generally, the damping properties of the structure is assumed negligible for seismic input energy. Most of the existing spectral equations derived for SDOF systems generally use a constant damping ratio of 5%. In this study, the damping effect on EI/m is investigated experimentally and numerically on SDOF systems with distinct damping ratios. Experimental investigation and numerical computations proved that seismic input energy is very sensitive to variation of damping within the vicinity of fundamental frequencies. Specifically, up to 50% increment was observed in the plateau region of the input energy spectrum, where maximum EI/m values occur, by variation of damping from 2% to 10%. Hence, a novel damping modification factor ( DMF), which could be utilized for existing energy spectra, is proposed in this paper. Validation studies of the proposed DMF are achieved through the various energy spectra found in the literature.

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BEAM-TO-COLUMN JOINTS 1 EQUIPPED WITH SPRAYED ALUMINIUM FRICTION DAMPERS

In this paper, the results of an experimental analysis regarding beam-to-column joints equipped with friction dampers is presented. Even though the overall concept is not new, the connection structural detail and the friction pad material are different from previous proposals. In particular, the beam is connected to the column with a classical fixed T-stub fastening the upper flange and a friction damper located at the beam lower flange. The friction damper is composed of a stack of steel plates conceived to assure symmetrical friction. The friction pads are made of steel plates coated with thermally sprayed aluminium. The friction damper is designed in order to slide for a force level equal to or lower than the ratio between the nominal flexural resistance of the connected beam and the lever arm, i.e. the distance between the top T-stub and the friction damper. In this way, it is possible to obtain connections able to dissipate the seismic input energy almost without any damage to the steel elements, provided that all the joint components are designed with sufficient over-strength with respect to the actions corresponding to the friction damper sliding force. In this paper, such approach is validated reporting the results of an experimental campaign.