Seismic performance assessment of historical buildings

Abstract

Aged construction materials and insufficient knowledge regarding the existing properties of territorial materials and the structural features make performance assess ment of historical masonry buildings a challenging task. In an attempt to reduce the connatural complexity of masonry and uncertainties, ambient vibration tests (AVT) were implemented, and the available material test results were used in the definition of material properties. A 3D Finite Element Model (FEM) of the entire building was generated with initial material properties. Afterwards, the FEM was updated based on the global dynamic characteristics of the building extracted from AVT so as to minimize the difference between theoretical and experimental modal behaviour. Fol lowing this, by conducting linear response spectrum analysis using FE analysis, the seismic demand was obtained in terms of drift ratio, which corresponds to limit states of masonry. Also, the distribution of stresses enabled verifying the possible shear hinge locations as described in the literature. In addition, the front facade of the building was modelled with 2D Equivalent Frame (EF). In-plane behaviour of the facade was considered and modelled as EFM in analyses. Series of simulations was performed using a set of Non-linear Time History analyses and incremental dynamic pushover curves (based on base shear vs top displacement) were generated. Consequently, the seismic fragility curve was derived to perform vulnerability assessment. The study aims at contributing to the seismic performance assessment of a historic brick masonry building constructed in Istanbul by means of FE and EF Modelling approaches.