Abstract
This paper evaluates the effect of construction quality defects on the seismic vulnerability of reinforced concrete (RC) frames. The variability in the construction quality of material properties and structural detailing is considered to assess the effect on the seismic behavior of RC frames. Concrete strength and yield strength of the reinforcement are selected as uncertain variables for the material properties, while the variabilities in the longitudinal reinforcement ratio and the volumetric ratio of transverse reinforcement are employed for structural detailing. Taking into account the selected construction quality uncertainties, the sensitivity analysis of the seismic vulnerability of the RC frames is performed and the impact of significant parameters is assessed at the global and local levels. This extensive analytical study reveals that the seismic vulnerability of the selected RC frame is particularly sensitive to concrete strength and the volumetric ratio of transverse reinforcement.
Highlights
Seismic design and construction technologies have improved considerably over the years, but unexpected earthquake damage to reinforced concrete (RC) structures continues to occur
This study evaluates the seismic vulnerability of RC frames considering construction quality defects that may occur in various environments
The sensitivity of the fragility curve of an RC frame to material properties and structural to the fragility curve of an RC frame was evaluated in this paper
Summary
Seismic design and construction technologies have improved considerably over the years, but unexpected earthquake damage to reinforced concrete (RC) structures continues to occur. In previous earthquakes (e.g., the Chi-Chi earthquake in Taiwan (1999), Maule earthquake in Chile (2010), and Pohang earthquake in South Korea (2017)), many researchers have attributed the undesired failures in some RC structures to construction quality defects, including poor quality materials and inadequate reinforcement details [1,2,3]. The failure of many RC columns in the seismically designed buildings was observed due to excessive concrete cover, the inclusion of drainage pipes in the column members, the inadequate spacing of the shear reinforcement, or the poor anchorage of ties.
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