Seismic resistance of natural and artificial variable stiffness reinforced concrete buildings

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Abstract

An influence of variable stiffness on seismic response of RC structures is discussed. A fully braced six-story RC frame is analyzed. First, an effect of concrete braces as a self-variable system is studied. It is shown that up to some limit the frame itself controls its behavior by adapting its dynamic characteristics during a current earthquake. It is achieved by autonomous disengagement of the frame concrete braces under tension and their further non-linear action under compression. The system has several levels of seismic adaptation and selects one for optimal response to a given earthquake. After reaching the limit optimal state, further self adaptation of the frame is impossible. In this case, increasing of the seismic affect may lead to disengagement of concrete braces under compression yielding a worse structural response. In order to avoid it, a system of artificial stiffness control is proposed. Using the controlled variable damping prevents collapse of braces under compression, and in this case the structure remains in its optimal state. The damping forces in the friction devices are regulated according to a displacement and velocity feedback optimal control theory. Changing the friction level at each time step of a current earthquake yields additional improvement of structural seismic behavior and avoids further need of retrofitting in order to prepare the structure to the next earthquakes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 10th International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, Civil-Comp 2005
StatePublished - 2005
Event10th International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, Civil-Comp 2005 - Rome, Italy
Duration: 30 Aug 20052 Sep 2005

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 10th International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, Civil-Comp 2005

Conference

Conference10th International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, Civil-Comp 2005
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period30/08/052/09/05

Keywords

  • Active variable damping
  • Optimal control
  • RC structures
  • Seismic design
  • Self-variable stiffness

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