Material Property Uncertainties versus Joint Structural Detailing: Relative Effect on the Seismic Fragility of Reinforced Concrete Frames
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper investigates the relative effect of material properties and structural details in the joint panels on the seismic fragility of existing reinforced concrete (RC) frames. Five building classes with different structural details (particularly in the joint panels) and material characteristics are defined according to different past design codes, for a three-story and a six-story archetype geometry. Based on nonlinear static or nonlinear dynamic analysis procedures, results from the study show that the effect of structural details on seismic fragility of the considered structures is negligible for damage states involving an essentially elastic behavior. Conversely, it is much higher for life-safety and near-collapse damage states, and it is considerably higher than the effect due to materials. Therefore, in the diagnosis phase, higher emphasis should be given to on-site investigations of actual reinforcement content/layout rather than to invasive material testing. The uncertainty related to the structural details described here is practically related to exterior, rather than interior, joint panels. Cover removal for one of those joints may potentially eliminate this specific uncertainty. As a practical action, in situ testing of RC frames should involve the cover removal of at least one exterior joint panel regardless of the required target “level of knowledge” of the existing structure.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on request.
Acknowledgments
This study has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 843794 (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Grants Scheme MSCA-IF-2018: MULTIRES, MULTI-Level Framework to Enhance Seismic RESilience of RC buildings) for Roberto Gentile; and from the project “Dipartimenti di Eccellenza,” funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research at IUSS Pavia for Carmine Galasso. Dr Karim Tarbali is gratefully acknowledged for providing the candidate ground motions for this study.
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Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 4 • April 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Mar 4, 2020
Accepted: Sep 17, 2020
Published online: Jan 18, 2021
Published in print: Apr 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jun 18, 2021
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