Investigation and Analysis of Empirical Field Seismic Damage to Bottom Frame Seismic Wall Masonry Structure

Abstract

To understand the seismic damage characteristics of bottom frame-wall buildings and to study their seismic performance, the seismic damage outcomes of bottom frame-wall structures in Du jiang weir by the Wen chuan earthquake on May 12,2008, China were field observed and studied. The assesment of the seismic damage to the bottom frame-wall masonry in Du jiang weir urban showed that the damage to the type of structure system was serious and including damage to the bottom frame, the bottom storey, the transition storey, the bottom node and the rear longitudinal wall, combining with the failure characteristics, the failure reasons and mechanism were analyzed and the corresponding treatment measurements are given. However, a substantial number of bottom frame seismic wall masonry structures (BFSWMSs) after 2000 are basically undamaged. The field inspections team sampled 2178 buildings of the urban ensemble observation. A considerable number of buildings seismic fortified have shown excellent seismic performance in Wenchuan earthquake, which sufficient illustrates the significant role of seismic fortification factors in structural design. Through, the investigation and analysis of its empirical seismic damage, the main measures to improve its seismic performance of construction structure. The above analysis results can provide a reference for seismic design and the revision of seismic intensity scales.