Journal of Earthquake Engineering

A re-appraisal of the seismicity of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East during in 550–1 BC shows that although the historical record is very incomplete, analysis of the original sources, as opposed to reliance on secondary works, can provide valuable insights into the long-term seismicity of that region. Although this method has resulted in the rejection of some events noted in previous catalogues, the end-product should be a more reliable seismic record.

In this parametric study, the effects of soil-structure interaction on the earthquake response of structures is demonstrated by including various types of supporting media and seismic environments in the analysis of a very simple structure representing residential buildings. The effect of the type of control point selected is also addressed. The analyses are performed in frequency space by employing the substructure method and non-dimensional variables. The transformation from the frequency to time space is performed by FFT algorithm. The results are presented in the form of plots of maximum lateral (or torsional) acceleration against a reference period for various parameters appearing in the analyses.

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the failure mode of existing reinforced concrete columns designed during the 1960s. The effectiveness of using corrugated steel jackets for enhancing the seismic flexural strength and ductility of these types of columns was examined. Three large-scale columns were tested under cyclic loading. The three columns represent existing column, current code-detailed column and rehabilitated column. The variables in the test specimens include the amount of column transverse reinforcement and jacketing of the column. The corrugated jacket was found to be effective in the rehabilitation of the selected existing structure, which does not meet the current seismic code requirements. A method is proposed for the design of the corrugated steel jacket to enhance the lap splice capacity and ductility of the column.

For investigating the seismic behaviour of monolithic beam-column joints, a new technique of assessment of joint performance, termed the Shear Deformation Energy Index, is presented in this paper. Previous research efforts in this field were evaluated and the relative merits and drawbacks of each approach were highlighted. Primary variables influencing the seismic behaviour of joints were studied in the experimental phase of the current study. This included pseudo-static testing of nine interior beam-column subassemblages with different joint configurations. The parametric investigation of primary variables was complemented by studying the behaviour of specimens of eight different experimental programmes. For easy application of the technique in design practice, the Index is graphically represented versus its main variables in a design chart, referred to as the Performance Chart.

This paper summarises the first phase of the fragility analyses of generic (representative) buildings in the area of Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The study was conducted at Cornell University as a part of the project Loss Assessment of Memphis Buildings (LAMB) for the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER). In this study, the fragility analyses focus on low-rise Lightly Reinforced Concrete (LRC) frame buildings with and without infill walls. The obtained fragility curves are compared with those of ATC-13 for different facility classes. Based on the obtained fragility curves, it is concluded that adding masonry infill walls to low-rise LRC frame buildings significantly reduces the likelihood of seismic damage.

With a distinct design rather than analysis-oriented approach, some torsional phenomena, arising during the elasto-plastic seismic response of building structures, are addressed. It is postulated that existing code recommendations, expressed only in terms of the properties of elastic structures, are largely irrelevant when the design needs to be based on ductile system behaviour. Torsional restraint provided by elastic elements of a system, is claimed to be the desirable property controlling the amplification of inelastic translatory deformations of critical elements by storey twist. With the identification of the sources of inelastic element deformations, a simple behaviour-based design strategy is proposed. This should ensure that the displacement ductility demand, expected to be imposed on the system, does not result in deformations that, as a consequence of storey twist, may exceed the displacement ductility capacity of critical elements.