Intermediate-Story Collapse of Reinforced Concrete Buildings Considering Aftershocks

Abstract eng:
This study focuses on the intermediate-story collapse that is often seen in old reinforced concrete (RC) buildings of around 10 stories with brittle columns. Once buildings are damaged by the main shock, it is important to evaluate the effect of aftershocks to judge whether to continue to use the damaged buildings. Thus, this study aims to examine the intermediatestory collapse of RC buildings, with consideration of aftershocks, by conducting dynamic analysis. Nine- and three-story buildings are analyzed. The buildings are represented by equivalent shear building models. Model lateral load versus interstory drift relations are represented based on past collapse tests of brittle columns. Strength deterioration after maximum load is considered. Dynamic analysis is performed for various columns and ground motions, and responses of the model buildings in the post-peak regions, including collapse, are studied. Relations between the maximum drift in the main shock and the level of aftershock that induces collapse are discussed. The study reveals that the smaller the maximum drift in the main shock, the smaller the ground motion level of aftershocks that induce collapse for short-period ground motions. This result is different from the general perception. The finding shows that elongation of the period of buildings due to the large plastic response in the main shock induces the discrepancy between the period of buildings and that of ground motions of aftershocks.

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