Abstract
A project named PERSISTAH (Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva, in Portuguese) is being developed. It aims to cooperatively assess and improve the seismic vulnerability of primary schools in the Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain). A large number of schools have to be analysed. In order to determine which seismic retrofitting technique is optimal, an index-based method is presented in this paper. It considers three parameters: first, the efficiency of the seismic retrofitting technique in relation to the structural improvement obtained; second, the cost of the implementation of the retrofitting technique; and third, the architectural impact. It should be mentioned that a specific measurement for each solution according to its geometry has been performed. Also, coefficients to consider the singularities of each analysis and the importance of the parameters (number of buildings, typology, available funds, etc.) in the study are considered. The most representative primary school of Huelva has been chosen to test the index-based method. The most suitable retrofitting techniques for this type of buildings have been tested. The retrofitting technique which most increased the seismic performance has been the addition of X and V bracings within the building’s bays. Furthermore, the analyses have revealed that adding the retrofitting elements in the most vulnerable direction of the building provides a high efficiency. The results have also shown that implementing techniques of lower architectural impact gives acceptable results. The analysis of the mean damage level index has shown that the building would experiment a severe damage. All the retrofitting techniques applied have reduced it, at least, up to moderate damage. Finally, it should be noted that the position of the retrofitting elements is also paramount for providing an optimal retrofitting.
Highlights
A European research project named PERSISTAH (Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva, in Portuguese) is under development [1]
The comparison percentages have been established according to the shear force of each capacity curve for the displacement of the original performance point
As for the percentage of implementation in columns, these results revealed that the addition of Single Braces (SB) led to capacity curves of acceptable improvement of the capacity curve in the Y direction
Summary
A European research project named PERSISTAH (Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva, in Portuguese) is under development [1] It aims to cooperatively assess and improve the seismic vulnerability of the primary schools located in the region of the Algarve (Portugal) and Huelva (Spain). In Spain and Portugal, schools’ buildings are very vulnerable as well the Italian Schools described in [4] This is due to the buildings’ configurations and to their low adult/child ratio. Their configuration is characterized by the presence of short columns, soft storeys at ground floors or plan irregularities These vulnerabilities resulted in much damage in numerous RC buildings after the 2011 Lorca (Spain) earthquake (Mw = 5.1) and even in collapse [5]. They share the same characteristics regarding the structural elements and the bays’ dimensions, the number of storeys and their height as well as the distribution in plan
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
