Analysis of Stairwells Performance and Damage During Wenchuan Earthquake

Abstract eng:
A large number of stairwells damage took place in various buildings during the 8.0 magnitude earthquake that struck northwestern Sichuan on May 12, 2008. For these special structural elements, a post-earthquake survey was carried out in Dujiangyan and different modes of failure of the stairwells were observed. Many structural deficiencies were highlighted by the earthquake damage. It is concluded that when buildings were mainly subjected to horizontal seismic forces in the transversal direction, the types of damage of stairwells included: 1) flexural damage in staircase treads, 2) shear damage at construction interface of staircase treads (initiating at the intersection between the treads and the risers), 3) shear failure in landing beams, and 4) crushing failure in the connections between the staircase treads and the landing beams. On the other hand, when the buildings were mainly subjected to horizontal seismic forces in the longitudinal direction, the type of damage of stairwells was mainly plastic hinging in the joints of the landing beams and columns or only in the columns.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket