This paper presents the nonlinear seismic analysis, development, and implementation of an innovative seismic retrofit strategy for a six-story nonductile reinforced concrete 145,000-sf (13,470 m2) historic building. Dynamic and nonlinear static analytical results verified that the building had a weak soft-story with inadequate post-yield capacity, and large torsional response. The […]
Preliminary analysis of the Shanghai World Financial Center Incorporating Fluid Viscous Dampers
The Shanghai World Financial Center (WFC) is a 106- story building that is scheduled for construction in the near future. The structure, designed by KFP Associates, consists of office buildings, and a 10-story hotel segment located between floors 78 and 87. The structure is designed to be robust in resisting […]
Retrofit Strategies and Guidelines for Public Schools and Hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey
A task committee comprised of local structural engineers and earthquake engineering experts from abroad was formed to assess the seismic performance of public schools in under auspices of this group; a guideline has been developed better assess the existing conditions and develop retrofit options for school and hospital buildings in […]
Seismic Retrofit of Historic Iasi City Hall Building Using Seismic Protective Devices
Romania’s Iasi City Hall was originally constructed in the 1810’s in neo-classical Viennese style. It was modified in 1860’s and turned to the city hall in 1891. It is considered a cultural heritage building and was the Romanian Royal Family residence. The building framing is comprised of reinforced concrete floors, […]
Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of 230-kV Porcelain Transformer Bushings
Amir S. Gilani, Andrew S. Whittaker, and Gregory L. Fenves Earthquake Spectra 17, 597 (2001) For full access to this technical paper click here and we will contact you shortly. Static and earthquake-simulator testing of two 230-kV, 3000A, Type-U transformer bushings manufactured in the mid 1980s by the General Electric (GE) Company […]
Earthquake Performance of Porcelain Transformer Bushings
Andrew S. Whittaker, Gregory L. Fenves, and Amir S. J. Gilani Earthquake Spectra 20, 205 (2004) For full access to this technical paper click here and we will contact you shortly. The earthquake performance of 196-kV, 230-kV, and 550-kV porcelain transformer bushings was studied by earthquake-simulator experimentation and analysis. The fundamental […]
Massive Damage Assessment Program and Repair and Reconstruction Strategy in the Aftermath of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake
The January 2010 Haiti earthquake resulted in over 230,000 deaths, affected 3 million people, and damaged or collapsed over 200,000 structures. An unprecedented earthquake damage assessment project by a joint operation of the Haitian Ministry of Public Works, the United Nations Office of Project Services, the Pan American Development Foundation, […]
Identifying the Collapse Hazard of Steel Special Moment-Frame Buildings with Viscous Dampers Using the FEMA P695 Methodology
An innovative design using steel special moment frames sized per building code requirements for strength and viscous dampers to control story drift ratios results in longer period structures that limit floor accelerations with excellent performance in design-level earthquakes. However, the response of this design to extreme seismic events is not […]
Seismic Evaluation and Upgrade of Historic Multi‐Story Buildings in Sacramento, California
Structural performances of two historic high‐rise buildings, constructed in the early 1920s and located in seismic zone 3 in downtown Sacramento, CA were investigated. The objectives of this evaluation were to determine whether these structures met the current seismic criteria and to propose strategies to upgrade such performance to an […]
Seismic Rehabilitation of a Nine‐Story Hospital Building Using Fluid Viscous Dampers
Analytical investigations were undertaken to assess the seismic performance of a hospital building located in Southern California in seismic zone 4. The structure consists of a eight‐story steel, and a bottom story reinforced concrete superstructure constructed over four levels of sub‐grade parking stories. The building is rectangular, is 125 ft […]