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Earthquakes and Structures
  Volume 14, Number 6, June 2018 , pages 599-614
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/eas.2018.14.6.599
 


Earthquake performance assessment of low and mid-rise buildings: Emphasis on URM buildings in Albania
Huseyin Bilgin and Ergys Huta

 
Abstract
    This study focuses on the earthquake performance of two URM buildings having typical architectural configurations common for residential use constructed per pre-modern code in Albania. Both buildings are unreinforced clay brick masonry structures constructed in 1960 and 1984, respectively. The first building is a three-storey unreinforced one with masonry walls. The second one is confined masonry rising on five floors. Mechanical characteristics of masonry walls were determined based on experimental tests conducted according to ASTM C67-09 regulations. A global numerical model of the buildings was built, and masonry material was simulated as nonlinear. Pushover analyses are carried out to obtain capacity curves. Displacement demands were calculated according to Eurocode 8 and FEMA440 guidelines. Causes of building failures in recent earthquakes were examined using the results of this study. The results of the study showed that the URM building displays higher displacement and shear force demands that can be directly related to damage or collapse. On the other hand, the confined one exhibits relatively higher seismic resistance by indicating moderate damage. Moreover, effects of demand estimation approaches on performance assessment of URM buildings were compared. Deficiencies and possible solutions to improve the capacity of such buildings were discussed.
 
Key Words
    capacity assessment; capacity spectrum; confined masonry; seismic performance; unreinforced masonry structures
 
Address
Huseyin Bilgin: Department of Civil Engineering, EPOKA University, Rruga Tirane, Km 12, 1032, Tirana, Albania
Ergys Huta: Albania Draht, Mucaj, Vore, Tirana, Albania
 

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