Critical Structural Weaknesses Exposed in Older RC Wall-Frame Structures During the Christchurch Earthquakes


Abstract eng:
This study seeks to identify so-called “critical structural weaknesses” (CSWs) in older reinforced concrete (RC) wall-frame structures. These CSWs are defined as features of the building that greatly increase collapse potential, as evidenced by seismically-induced structural damage and building collapse around the world. In particular, in Christchurch, New Zealand, a significant series of earthquakes in 2010-2011 caused widespread damage and devastating collapses to this particular class of building. The motivation for identifying CSWs is to develop a tool that can be used to quickly single out the most dangerous of these buildings, from a large pool of similar buildings. The development of the CSW concept is described here in three parts. First, we identify a set of case study buildings damaged in the Christchurch earthquake and make the case that they are representative of a larger group of buildings with similar characteristics New Zealand and other countries. Next, a list of CSWs is presented. This list is generated from the case study buildings, but also from a larger body of research that evaluates the performance of buildings in the Christchurch earthquakes. These CSWs are all observable and do not require significant engineering calculations. This list is transformed into a CSW scoring tool, which provides a qualitative way of quickly and robustly identifying dangerous buildings, eliminating the need for detailed structural analysis. One particular case study building, the Securities House, is used as an example to lead the engineer through the scoring process and to show how damage and CSWs are related.

Contributors:
Conference Title:
Conference Title:
16th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
Conference Venue:
Santiago (CL)
Conference Dates:
2017-01-09 / 2017-01-13
Rights:
Text je chráněný podle autorského zákona č. 121/2000 Sb.



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 Record created 2017-01-18, last modified 2017-01-18


Original version of the author's contribution as presented on USB, paper 3234.:
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