3D FEA of Infilled RC Framed Structures Protected by Seismic Joints and FRP Jackets

This study focused on characteristic cases of recently tested real-scale RC framed wall infilled structures with innovative seismic protection through polyurethane joints (PUFJ) or polyurethane-impregnated fiber grids (FRPU). The frames revealed a highly ductile response while preventing infill collapse. Herein, suitable 3D pseudo-dynamic FE models were developed in order to reproduce the experimental results. The advanced Explicit Dynamics framework may help reveal the unique features of the considered interventions. Externally applied double-sided FRPU jackets on OrthoBlock infills may maintain an adequate bond with the surrounding RC frame as well as with the brick infill substrate at up to a 3.6% drift. In a weak four-column RC structure, the OrthoBlock infills with PUFJ seismic joints may increase the initial stiffness remarkably, increase the base shear by three times (compared with the bare structure) and maintain a high horizontal drift of 3.7%. After this phase, the structure may receive FRPU retrofitting, reveal the redistribution of stress over broad infill regions, including predamaged parts, and still develop a higher initial stiffness and base shear (compared with the bare RC). The realization of a desirable ductile behavior of infilled frames through PUFJ of only 20 mm thickness, as well as through FRPU jacketing, may remarkably broaden the alternatives in seismic protection against the collapse of structures.

Natural Hazards - Impacts, Adjustments and Resilience

Reinforced concrete is a global material, the utilization of which has no limits. India is a country that uses mostly RC framed structures as the routine building construction type. The building is made of inter-connecting elements in horizontal and vertical directions. To showcase the effectiveness of high grade of concrete and confining reinforcement much research has been carried out till date from 1980s. However, in design of structures we do not consider the effect of confining reinforcement in resisting stress in any member element. Various tools have been developed to find the capacity of member at element level to resist forces. For performance-based design of buildings, it is necessary to evaluate the performance at individual local level and at global levels. In this study, the effect of available tools (for section analysis) and design codes for member limit calculation is demonstrated and structure is evaluated for the threshold limits given in ASCE-41. It is observed that the code designed members are sufficient to resist lateral earthquake forces effectively for the estimated hazards if proper design tools are employed.

Effect of Different Bracing Systems in Reinforced Concrete Frames under Cyclic Loading

Reinforced concrete (RC) framed structures are widely used as load transferring system in residential and commercial buildings. Even though the RC frames are designed for gravitational and seismic forces, but they are week under severe seismic events. The main disadvantage of the framed structures is inefficient bracing systems designed in it. This investigation is conducted mainly to study the effective bracing system in the RC framed structure to transfer the seismic force. This research aims to study the seismic performance of RC frames influenced by the various types of cross bracings under cyclic loading. The finite element analysis software package ABAQUS is used to investigate the braced RC frames analytically. The research scheme consists of three RC frames; the bare frame, the bare frame with single X-bracing (X frame), double X bracing (D-X frame) along the height. The structural parameters include, load-displacement hysteresis envelope, stiffness degradation and energy absorption were studied to analyze the performance of bracings. The results showed that the X frame and D-X frame noticeably increased the lateral strength, stiffness and energy dissipation properties compared to the bare RC frame. The results also indicated that the addition of X bracing along the height significantly enhanced the structural parameters of the RC frame.

Response Reduction Factor for Different Heights of RC Structure

Seismic analysis is considered as an important parameter for any structural design. The strength and ductility of frame members in seismic design depends on the response reduction factor. In this paper four symmetrically framed structures are considered of different heights under the critical zone condition. The primary emphases of this work is regarding calculation of response reduction factor values attained from designing RC framed structures. The results are computed by applying non-linear static pushover analysis. SAP-2000 software is used for analyzing the non-linear behaviour of the structure.