A DATA BASE INITIATION FOR SEISMIC RESPONSE ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDINGS IN EGYPT

Abstract

A viable database was initiated for the assessment and evaluation of the seismic response of existing reinforced concrete buildings built in Egypt prior to the establishment of the recent design codes. A group of parameters for the buildings to be studied were set forth, and accordingly different buildings configurations were chosen. The buildings chosen were six- story and ten-story buildings having three to five spans, each of three to five meters length. The Egyptian code (ECP 1970) was used for the design of the buildings.

The structural analysis of this. research work was performed using an available nonlinear dynamic structural analysis software package (IDARC2D) through different non-linear pushover and time history dynamic analysis procedures. The pushover performance was evaluated according to the base shear versus deformation curve, while the dynamic performance was evaluated based on the damage index, roof displacement, maximum inter-story drift, and hinge mechanism.

Comparisons were made for the seismic performance of the buildings, and finally some methods of retrofitting were introduced on selected buildings to enhance their seismic behavior by either increasing the strength or ductility of some or all of the structural elements of the buildings.