Seismic isolation design and resilience improvement of railway station considering the influence of near-fault pulse-like ground motions

To improve the resilience of railway stations,a typical station was selected as the research object,and an isolation design was introduced.Twenty-four groups of near-fault pulse-like ground motions were selected.The seismic resilience of the no-isolation railway stations(NIRS)and the isolation railway stations(IRS)were compared to provide a numerical result of the improvement in resilience.The results show that in the station isolation design,the station's functional requirements and structural characteristics should be considered and the appropriate placement of isolation bearings is under the waiting room.Under the action of a rare earthquake,the repair cost,repair time,rate of harm and death of the IRS were decreased by 8.04 million,18.30 days,6.93×10^(-3)and 1.21×10^(-3),respectively,when compared to the NIRS.The IRS received a seismic resilience grade of three-stars and the NIRS only one-star,indicating that rational isolation design improves the seismic resilience of stations.Thus,for the design of stations close to earthquake faults,it is suggested to utilize appropriate isolation techniques to improve their seismic resilience.

Assessment of earthquake location uncertainties for the design of local seismic networks

The ability to estimate earthquake source locations,along with the appraisal of relevant uncertainties,is paramount in monitoring both natural and human-induced micro-seismicity.For this purpose,a monitoring network must be designed to minimize the location errors introduced by geometrically unbalanced networks.In this study,we first review different sources of errors relevant to the localization of seismic events,how they propagate through localization algorithms,and their impact on outcomes.We then propose a quantitative method,based on a Monte Carlo approach,to estimate the uncertainty in earthquake locations that is suited to the design,optimization,and assessment of the performance of a local seismic monitoring network.To illustrate the performance of the proposed approach,we analyzed the distribution of the localization uncertainties and their related dispersion for a highly dense grid of theoretical hypocenters in both the horizontal and vertical directions using an actual monitoring network layout.The results expand,quantitatively,the qualitative indications derived from purely geometrical parameters(azimuthal gap(AG))and classical detectability maps.The proposed method enables the systematic design,optimization,and evaluation of local seismic monitoring networks,enhancing monitoring accuracy in areas proximal to hydrocarbon production,geothermal fields,underground natural gas storage,and other subsurface activities.This approach aids in the accurate estimation of earthquake source locations and their associated uncertainties,which are crucial for assessing and mitigating seismic risks,thereby enabling the implementation of proactive measures to minimize potential hazards.From an operational perspective,reliably estimating location accuracy is crucial for evaluating the position of seismogenic sources and assessing possible links between well activities and the onset of seismicity.

Seismic effectiveness evaluation and optimized design of tie up method for securing museum collections

To quantify the seismic effectiveness of the most commonly used fishing line tie up method for securing museum collections and optimize fixed strategies for exhibitions,shaking table tests of the seismic systems used for typical museum collection replicas have been carried out.The influence of body shape and fixed measure parameters on the seismic responses of replicas and the interaction behavior between replicas and fixed measures have been explored.Based on the results,seismic effectiveness evaluation indexes of the tie up method are proposed.Reasonable suggestions for fixed strategies are given,which provide a basis for the exhibition of delicate museum collections considering the principle of minimizing seismic responses and intervention.The analysis results show that a larger ratio of height of mass center to bottom diameter led to more intense rocking responses.Increasing the initial pretension of fishing lines was conducive to reducing the seismic responses and stress variation of the lines.Through comprehensive consideration of the interaction forces and effective securement,it is recommended to apply 20%of breaking stress as the initial pretension.For specific museum collections that cannot be effectively protected by the independent tie up method,an optimized strategy of a combination of fishing lines and fasteners is recommended.

The MDOF equivalent linear system and its applications in seismic analysis and design of framed structures

This paper reviews the applications of the multi degree-of-freedom(MDOF)equivalent linear system in seismic analysis and design of planar steel and reinforced concrete framed structures.An equivalent MDOF linear structure,analogous to the original MDOF nonlinear structure,is constructed,which has the same mass and elastic stiffness as the original structure and modal damping ratios that account for the effects of geometrical and material nonlinearities.The equivalence implies a balance between the viscous damping work of the equivalent linear structure and that of the nonlinearities in the original nonlinear structure.This work balance is established with the aid of a transfer function in the frequency domain.Thus,equivalent modal damping ratios can be explicitly determined in terms of the period and deformation levels of the structure as well as the soil types.Use of these equivalent modal damping ratios can help address a variety of seismic analysis and design problems associated with planar steel and reinforced concrete framed structures in a rational and accurate manner.These include force-based seismic design with the aid of acceleration response spectra characterized by high amounts of damping,improved direct displacement-based seismic design and the development of advanced seismic intensity measures.The equivalent modal damping ratios are also utilized in the context of linear modal analysis for the definition and construction of the MDOF response spectrum.Furthermore,the equivalent modal damping ratios are employed in a seismic retrofit method for steel-framed structures with viscous dampers.Finally,it is demonstrated that modal behavior(or strength reduction)factors can be easily constructed based on these modal damping ratios for a more rational and accurate force-based seismic design,including the determination of inelastic displacement profiles.

Seismic Design Strategy of High Pier Bridge

China’s infrastructure construction has been continuously improving in recent years,especially its highway construction,which spans from north to south and connects east to west.Some special areas are also interconnected through bridges,but constructing highway bridges through complex terrains or across valleys and mountain gullies presents significant challenges,requiring an increase in the height of bridge piers.These bridge piers generally reach tens or even hundreds of meters in height.Furthermore,the construction of these high-pier bridges is becoming increasingly widespread.Not only do they pose greater construction challenges,but they also have higher requirements for seismic resistance.This article primarily analyzes the characteristics of high-pier bridges and proposes seismic design schemes,calculation methods,and design strategies to enhance the construction quality of high-pier bridges.

Constant-ductility strength demand spectra for seismic design of structures

In displacement-based seismic design, constant-ductility strength demand spectra （CDSDS） are very useful for preliminary design of new structures where the global displacement ductility capacity is known. The CDSDS can provide the required inelastic lateral strength of new structures from the required elastic lateral strength. Based on a statistical study of nonlinear time-history for an SDOF system, the mean CDSDS corresponding to four site conditions are presented and approximate expressions of the inelastic spectra are proposed, which are functions of the structural period and ductility level. The effects of site conditions, structural period, level of ductility, damping and post-yield stiffness of structures on CDSDS are also investigated. It is concluded that site conditions, ductility level and structural period have important effects on the CDSDS and damping, post-yield stiffness effects are rather complex and of minor importance. The damping, post-yield stiffness effects depend on both the level of ductility and the natural period of structures.

Research on Seismic Design of High-Rise Buildings Based on Framed-Shear Structural System

Under the rapidly advancing economic trends,people’s requirements for the functionality and architectural artistry of high-rise structures are constantly increasing,and in order to meet such modern requirements,it is necessary to diversify the functions of high-rise buildings and complicate the building form.At present,the main structural systems of high-rise buildings are:frame structure,shear wall structure,frame shear structure,and tube structure.Different structural systems determine the size of the load-bearing capacity,lateral stiffness,and seismic performance,as well as the amount of material used and the cost.This project is mainly concerned with the seismic design of frame shear structural systems,which are widely used today.

Damage investigation of girder bridges under the Wenchuan earthquake and corresponding seismic design recommendations

An investigation of girder bridges on National Highway 213 and the Doujiangyan-Wenchuan expressway after the Wenchuan earthquake showed that typical types of damage included： span collapses due to unseating at expansion joints; shear key failure; and damage of the expansion joint due to the slide-induced large relative displacement between the bottom of the girder and the top of the laminated-rubber bearing. This slide, however, can actually act as a form of isolation for the substructure, and as a result, the piers and foundation of most of the bridges on state route 213 suffered minor damage. The exception was the Baihua Bridge, which suffered severe damage. Corresponding seismic design recommendations are presented based on this investigation.

Lessons learned from the “5.12” Wenchuan Earthquake:evaluation of earthquake performance objectives and the importance of seismic conceptual design principles

Many different types of buildings were severely damaged or collapsed during the May 12, 2008 Great Wenchuan Earthquake. Based on survey data collected in regions that were subjected to moderate to severe earthquake intensities, a comparison between the observed building damage, and the three earthquake performance objectives and seismic conceptual design principles specified by the national ＂Code for Seismic Design of Buildings GB50011-2001,＂ was carried out. Actual damage and predicted damage for a given earthquake level for different types of structures is compared. Discussions on seismic conceptual design principles, with respect to multiple defense lines, strong column-weak beam, link beam of shear walls, ductility detailing of masonry structures, exits and staircases, and nonstructural elements, etc. are carried out. Suggestions for improving the seismic design of structures are also proposed. It is concluded that the seismic performance objectives for three earthquake levels, i.e., ＂no failure under minor earthquake level, ＂＂repairable damage under moderate earthquake level＂ and ＂no collapse under major earthquake level＂ can be achieved if seismic design principles are carried out by strictly following the code requirements and ensuring construction quality.

Performance-based seismic design of nonstructural building components:The next frontier of earthquake engineering

With the development and implementation of performance-based earthquake engineering,harmonization of performance levels between structural and nonstructural components becomes vital. Even if the structural components of a building achieve a continuous or immediate occupancy performance level after a seismic event,failure of architectural,mechanical or electrical components can lower the performance level of the entire building system. This reduction in performance caused by the vulnerability of nonstructural components has been observed during recent earthquakes worldwide. Moreover,nonstructural damage has limited the functionality of critical facilities,such as hospitals,following major seismic events. The investment in nonstructural components and building contents is far greater than that of structural components and framing. Therefore,it is not surprising that in many past earthquakes,losses from damage to nonstructural components have exceeded losses from structural damage. Furthermore,the failure of nonstructural components can become a safety hazard or can hamper the safe movement of occupants evacuating buildings,or of rescue workers entering buildings. In comparison to structural components and systems,there is relatively limited information on the seismic design of nonstructural components. Basic research work in this area has been sparse,and the available codes and guidelines are usually,for the most part,based on past experiences,engineering judgment and intuition,rather than on objective experimental and analytical results. Often,design engineers are forced to start almost from square one after each earthquake event: to observe what went wrong and to try to prevent repetitions. This is a consequence of the empirical nature of current seismic regulations and guidelines for nonstructural components. This review paper summarizes current knowledge on the seismic design and analysis of nonstructural building components,identifying major knowledge gaps that will need to be filled by future research. Furthermore,considering recent trends in earthquake engineering,the paper explores how performance-based seismic design might be conceived for nonstructural components,drawing on recent developments made in the field of seismic design and hinting at the specific considerations required for nonstructural components.

Seismic fragility assessment of RC frame structure designed according to modern Chinese code for seismic design of buildings

Following several damaging earthquakes in China, research has been devoted to find the causes of the collapse of reinforced concrete （RC） building sand studying the vulnerability of existing buildings. The Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings （CCSDB） has evolved over time, however, there is still reported earthquake induced damage of newly designed RC buildings. Thus, to investigate modern Chinese seismic design code, three low-, mid- and high-rise RC frames were designed according to the 2010 CCSDB and the corresponding vulnerability curves were derived by computing a probabilistic seismic demand model （PSDM）.The PSDM was computed by carrying out nonlinear time history analysis using thirty ground motions obtained from the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center. Finally, the PSDM was used to generate fragility curves for immediate occupancy, significant damage, and collapse prevention damage levels. Results of the vulnerability assessment indicate that the seismic demands on the three different frames designed according to the 2010 CCSDB meet the seismic requirements and are almost in the same safety level.

Seismic design of Xiluodu ultra-high arch dam

The 285.5 m-high Xiluodu Arch Dam is located in a seismic region along the Jinsha River in China, where the horizontal components of peak ground accelerations for design and checking earthquakes have been estimated to be 0.355 g and 0.423 g, respectively( g is the gravitational acceleration). The ground motion parameters of design and checking earthquakes are defined by exceedance probabilities of 2% over 100 years and 1% over 100 years, respectively. The dam shape was first selected and optimized through static analysis of the basic load combinations, and then adjusted after taking into account the seismic loads. The dam should be operational during and after the design earthquake with or without minor repairs, and maintain local and global stabilities during an extreme earthquake. Both linear elastic dynamic analysis and nonlinear dynamic analysis considering radiation damping, contraction joints, and material nonlinearity were conducted to assess the stress in the arch dam.The dynamic analysis shows that the maximum dynamic compressive stresses are less than the allowable levels, while the area with tensile stress over the limit is less than 15% of the dam surface and the maximum contraction openings range from 10 mm to 25 mm. The arch dam has sufficient earthquake-resistance capacity and meets the safety requirements. Nevertheless, steel reinforcement has been provided at the dam toe and in the zones of high tensile stress on the dam surface out of extra precaution.

Highway bridge seismic design:summary of FHWA/MCEER project on seismic vulnerability of new highway construction

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored a large,multi-year project conducted by the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER) titled'Seismic Vulnerability of New Highway Construction'(MCEER Project 112),which was completed in 1998.MCEER coordinated the work of many researchers,who performed studies on the seismic design and vulnerability analysis of highway bridges,tunnels,and retaining structures. Extensive research was conducted to provide revisions and improvements to current design and detailing approaches and national design specifications for highway bridges.The program included both analytical and experimental studies,and addressed seismic hazard exposure and ground motion input for the U.S.highway system;foundation design and soil behavior: structural importance,analysis,and response:structural design issues and details;and structural design criteria.

A Seismic Design Method for Subsea Pipelines Against Earthquake Fault Movement

As there are no specific guidelines on design of subsea pipelines crossing active seismic faults, methods for land buried pipelines have been applied to. Taking the large seismic fault movement into account, this paper proposes improved methods for seismic designs of subsea pipelines by comprehensively investigating the real constraining of soil on the pipelines, the interaction processes of soil with the pipeline, the plastic slippage of the soil, and the elastic-plastic properties of the pipeline materials. New formulas are given to calculate the length of transition section and its total elongation. These formulas are more reasonable in mechanism, and more practical for seismic design of subsea pipelines crossing active faults.

An improved pseudo-static method for seismic resistant design of underground structures

This paper describes a commonly used pseudo-static method in seismic resistant design of the cross section of underground structures. Based on dynamic theory and the vibration characteristics of underground structures, the sources of errors when using this method are analyzed. The traditional seismic motion loading approach is replaced by a method in which a one-dimensional soil layer response stress is differentiated and then converted into seismic live loads. To validate the improved method, a comparison of analytical results is conducted for internal forces under earthquake shaking of a typical shallow embedded box-shaped subway station structure using four methods： the response displacement method, finite element response acceleration method, the finite element dynamic analysis method and the improved pseudo-static calculation method. It is shown that the improved finite element pseudo-static method proposed in this paper provides an effective tool for the seismic design of underground structures. The evaluation yields results close to those obtained by the finite element dynamic analysis method, and shows that the improved finite element pseudo-static method provides a higher degree of precision.

Revision of seismic design codes corresponding to building damagesin the “5.12” Wenchuan earthquake

A large number of buildings were seriously damaged or collapsed in the "5.12" Wenchuan earthquake. Based on field surveys and studies of damage to different types of buildings, seismic design codes have been updated. This paper briefly summarizes some of the major revisions that have been incorporated into the "Standard for classification of seismic protection of building constructions GB50223-2008" and "Code for Seismic Design of Buildings GB50011-2001." The definition of seismic fortification class for buildings has been revisited, and as a result, the seismic classifications for schools, hospitals and other buildings that hold large populations such as evacuation shelters and information centers have been upgraded in the GB50223-2008 Code. The main aspects of the revised GB50011-2001 code include: (a) modification of the seismic intensity specified for the Provinces of Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu; (b) basic conceptual design for retaining walls and building foundations in mountainous areas; (c) regularity of building configuration; (d) integration of masonry structures and precast RC floors; (e) requirements for calculating and detailing stair shafts; and (f) limiting the use of single-bay RC frame structures. Some significant examples of damage in the epicenter areas are provided as a reference in the discussion on the consequences of collapse, the importance of duplicate structural systems, and the integration of RC and masonry structures.

Seismic design or retrofit of buildings with metallic structural fuses by the damage-reduction spectrum

Recently, the structural fuse has become an important issue in the field of earthquake engineering. Due to the trilinearity of the pushover curve of buildings with metallic structural fuses, the mechanism of the structural fuse is investigated through the ductility equation of a single-degree-of-freedom system, and the corresponding damage-reduction spectrum is proposed to design and retrofit buildings. Furthermore, the controlling parameters, the stiffness ratio between the main frame and structural fuse and the ductility factor of the main frame, are parametrically studied, and it is shown that the structural fuse concept can be achieved by specific combinations of the controlling parameters based on the proposed damage-reduction spectrum. Finally, a design example and a retrofit example, variations of real engineering projects after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design procedures using buckling restrained braces as the structural fuses.

A new methodology for energy-based seismic design of steel moment frames

A procedure is proposed whereby input and hysteretic energy spectra developed for single-degree-of-freedom （SDOF） systems are applied to multi-degree-of-freedom （MDOF） steel moment resisting frames. The proposed procedure is verified using four frames, viz., frame with three-, five-, seven- and nine-stories, each of which is subjected to the fault- normal and fault-parallel components of three actual earthquakes. A very good estimate for the three- and five-story frames, and a reasonably acceptable estimate for the seven-, and nine-story frames, have been obtained. A method for distributing the hysteretic energy over the frame height is also proposed. This distribution scheme allows for the determination of the energy demand component of a proposed energy-based seismic design （EBSD） procedure for each story. To address the capacity component of EBSD, a story-wise optimization design procedure is developed by utilizing the energy dissipating capacity from plastic hinge formation/rotation for these moment frames. The proposed EBSD procedure is demonstrated in the design of a three-story one-bay steel moment frame.

Peak displacement patterns for the performance-based seismic design of steel eccentrically braced frames

Performance-based seismic design(PBSD) aims to assess structures at different damage states. Since damage can be directly associated to displacements, seismic design with consideration of displacement seems to be logical. In this study, simple formulae to estimate the peak floor displacement patterns of eccentrically braced frames(EBFs) at different performance levels subjected to earthquake ground motions are proposed. These formulae are applicable in a PBSD and especially in direct displacement-based design(DDBD). Parametric study is conducted on a group of 30 EBFs under a set of 15 far field and near field accelerograms which they scaled to different amplitudes to adapt various performance levels. The results of thousands of nonlinear dynamic analyses of EBFs have been post-processed by nonlinear regression analysis in order to recognize the major parameters that influence the peak displacement pattern of these frames. Results show that suggested displacement patterns have relatively good agreement with those acquired by an exact nonlinear dynamic analysis.

Comparison of seismic actions and structural design requirements in Chinese Code GB 50011 and International Standard ISO 3010

This papcr presents a comparison between the Chinese Code GB50011-2001 and the International Standard ISO3010:2001(E),emphasizing the similarities and differences related to design requirements,seismic actions and analytical approaches.Similarities include:earthquake return period,conceptual design,site classification,structural strength and ductility requirements,deformation limits,response spectra,seismic analysis procedures,isolation and energy dissipation, and nonstructural elements.Differences exist in the following areas:seismic levels,earthquake loading,mode damping factors and structural control.