Abstract
Abstract. This study evaluates seismic capacity of the unreinforced masonry buildings with the selected template designs constructed per pre-modern code in Albania considering nonlinear behaviour of masonry. Three residential buildings with template designs were selected to represent an important percentage of residential buildings in medium-size cities located in seismic regions of Albania. Selection of template designed buildings and material properties were based on archive and site survey in several cities of Albania. Capacity curves of investigated buildings were determined by pushover analyses conducted in two principal directions. The seismic performances of these buildings have been determined for various earthquake levels. Seismic capacity evaluation was carried out in accordance with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) 440 guidelines. Reasons for building damages in past earthquakes are examined using the results of capacity assessment of investigated buildings. It is concluded that of the residential buildings with the template design, with the exception of one, are far from satisfying required performance criteria. Furthermore, deficiencies and possible solutions to improve the capacity of investigated buildings are discussed.
Highlights
Masonry is the most important construction material in the history of humankind
Even though a large percentage of loss of life during the past earthquakes have occurred due to the poor performance of masonry buildings, the efforts to measure and to increase their seismic performance are not adequate when compared with current advances in the area of reinforced concrete structures (Tomazevic, 1999; Erberik and Yakut, 2008)
Several studies related to performance of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in past earthquakes are available (Calvi, 1999; Decanni et al, 2004; Jagadish et al, 2003; Kaplan et al, 2010; Klingner, 2006; Pasticier et al, 2008; Yilmaz et al, 2012; Yoshimura and Kuroki 2001)
Summary
Masonry is the most important construction material in the history of humankind. This term is used in a variety of forms such as stone, clay brick, cellular concrete block and adobe for the construction of building structures. Korini: Seismic capacity evaluation of unreinforced masonry residential buildings communist period (Korini, 2012). The majority of existing residential masonry buildings in Albania, like in many other European countries, has been designed considering earlier codes (KTP-9, 1978; KTP-N2, 1989) when seismic loads were not required or the design was to lower level of seismic loads of what is currently specified. This study aims to evaluate seismic capacity of the existing masonry residential buildings constructed per pre-modern seismic code (KTP-9, 1978) in Albania considering nonlinear behaviour of URM components. Three residential buildings with template designs constructed in accordance with Albanian Code (KTP-9, 1978) were selected to represent an important percentage of existing residential buildings in Albania of moderate seismicity. Deficiencies and possible solutions to improve the capacity of URM residential buildings are discussed
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