Seismic Assessment of RC Buildings
Principal Researcher: Stefano Pampanin
Staff involved: Athol Carr,
Students involved: Eric Hertanto, Kam Weng Yuen, Mario Galli, Umut Akguzel
Comprehensive experimental and analytical investigation on the seismic response of alternative arrangements for pre-1970 R.C. frame systems without masonry infills.
A series of 2-D and 3-D beam-column joint subassemblies (interior or exterior, plain round or deformed bars, without or with minimum transverse reinforcement in the joint region, different anchorage details in the joint region, deep beam or wide and shallow beam, with or without slab) have been or are going to be tested under quasi-static cyclic loading. These tests, along with the extensive data collected in literature. will provide fundamental information either for a) the evaluation of the performance of existing pre-1970 buildings in NZ; b) the calibration of numerical and analytical model available or under refinement and continuum development; c) upgrading of the NZSEE assessment document as well as benchmark (control specimens) for the retrofit phase.
Evaluation of deformation, ductility capacity and damage of existing (typically gravity load designed) columns with substandard details (see next project profile) Quasi static, pseudo-dynamic (under uni- and bi-directional testing regime) and shake table tests are under preparation for a series of cantilever columns representing structural members belonging to existing buildings. Again this project will represent the basic platform for further investigation on the effectiveness of selective weakening solutions (with ot without the implementation of advance materials and devices) for walls, columns and b-c joints, as well as alternative retrofit techniques (i.e. FRP).