engleski

Choice of the Optimal Strengthening Technology

Modeling of the true behavior of existing buildings is a difficult step in the analysis of its state, as there are many unknown variables: building methods, various materials, stiffness and mass distribution, structural degradation and so on. These unknown variables can make complicated numerical procedures obsolete. Bad input data lead to non-reliable output data although the methods used could be very precise. Simplified methods based on some experimental data could give better results and reliably be used for safety factor evaluation. Dynamic characteristics represent the real structural behavior and could be used for evaluation of structural state, calibration of the mathematical model and analysis of seismic risk or safety factor. Calibrated numerical model is used for choice of the optimal strengthening technology that should pay special attention to inclusion of elements that eliminate unfavorable behavior under strong seismic effects. After strengthening works are finished quality of the performed works could be verified by repeting the dynamic tests. The methodology proposed in this paper could be used for quick evaluation of the structural state, modeling of the true structural behavior, choice of optimal strengthening technology and for verification of the performed strengthening works. It combines experimental data about building material, ground and structural behavior with analytical methods for estimation of the seismic vulnerability of masonry and reinforced concrete buildings. It roughly covers three vulnerability assessment levels required in the EC8: general stability, strength capacity and lateral displacements capacity.

buildings; masonry; experimental testing; evaluation and retrofit; buildings

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