Structural diagnosis of a RC building based on its bio-seismic profile and an incremental dynamic analysis

Abstract

This study presents a global structural health  assessment of a 14-story high residential building, potentially vulnerable to damage due to earthquakes and tsunamis. This building was built in 2013 and is located in the coastal area of Concepción (Chile), the same area affected by the Mw = 8.8 earthquake in Maule 2010. The structural assessment was carried out by combining destructive tests (cores’ extraction and test) and non-destructive tests (sclerometer). Using the information obtained experimentally, a linear numerical model of the building was generated, which was used to assess the overall health of the building using a methodology called bio-seismic profile and an incremental dynamic analysis. The results of this study demonstrate that the building would perform well during seismic events, but it would be susceptible to damage dueto the displacements, since these exceed the range allowed by seismic expansion joints.