Practical Performance-Based Assessment of an Existing Plan-Wise Irregular Building

Abstract eng:
In the framework of the research activity of the ELSA Laboratory of the Joint Research Centre, pseudo-dynamic testing of a real-size plan-wise irregular 3-storey frame structure, both in the as-built and in two retrofitted configurations, was carried out as the core of the research project SPEAR (Seismic PErformance Assessment and Rehabilitation of existing buildings). The experimental activity carried out on the SPEAR structure allowed a one-of-a-kind wealth of data to be collected. Once in the post-test phase, it became clear that a good understanding of the complex features of the response of the specimen was difficult to be obtained, due to the effects of double eccentricities, adding up to poor structural detailing and lack of ductility. Still, it was felt that a kind of easily applicable and extendable lesson should be derived from that complexity, and that a fully performance-oriented interpretation and evaluation of the results could be attempted, in order to provide an effective tool to compare the effectiveness of different possible retrofitting strategies in complex scenarios. A performance-based assessment exercise was thus carried out. This included the estimations of the costs of the different damage states, provided by the engineering practice. The probability of attaining each damage state was obtained by combining the experimental skeleton curves with the probabilistic definition of the expected intensities based on the very recent seismicity maps of Italy, as defined in the latest Italian Code for Constructions, on a local, continuously varied basis, as opposed to the older 4-zones classification of the Italian territory. Conclusions were finally drawn on the effectiveness of the retrofitting interventions in terms of reduction of the expected loss during the lifetime of the building.

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