Research Article
Performance of URM structures under earthquake shakings: Validation using a template building structure by the 2019 Albanian earthquakes
Altin Bidaj1, Huseyin Bilgin2, Marjo Hysenlliu1, Irakli Premti1, Rrapo Ormeni3
1Department of Mechanics of Structures Engineering, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania
2Department of Civil Engineering, Epoka University, Tirana, Albania
3Seismology Department Institute of Geosciences, Energy, Water and Environment (IGEWE), Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania.
Keywords
Abstract
Unreinforced masonry;
Macro-modeling;
Seismic assessment;
Pushover analysis
A prolonged earthquake series hit the regions of Albania on September 21 and November 26, 2019, causing loos of live and extensive damage to the civilian structures. The main aim of this study is to investigate the structural and earthquake response of a template design, commonly encountered in the region, which was seriously damaged by the 2019 Durres/Albania earthquake. A 3D mathematical model of the entire structure was prepared, implementing macro-modeling approach to simulate its response under seismic shakings. Inherent material properties of its constituents were determined experimentally and adopted for the analytical model. Initially, an eigenvalue analysis was deployed to identify the dominant vibrations modes of the structure. Then, pushover analyses were performed to assess the earthquake response of the template designed structure, and possible failure mechanisms were examined. Finally, the obtained results from the software were compared with the real-life damage experienced by the building. In the end, it was observed that the analytical model proved to accurately estimate the earthquake behavior exhibited by the structure during the seismic shaking.
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