Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of the Seismic Retrofitting of Existing Buildings

Abstract

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is a helpful tool for finding solutions to civil engineering problems. In this paper, the numerical analysis was performed by simulating an experimental test by using FEA tools, Abaqus /CAE2019 was used to develop and retrofit solutions to sustain existing structures for seismic hazard. The 3D building was modeled, and nonlinear analysis was adopted. This experimental building was tested at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the ELSA facility that is in Ispra-Italy. This model was a building of a full-scale four-story tested using the pseudo-dynamic (PsD) techniques.The retrofitting model was done by adding new RC walls with different connection details to the existing building. This building corresponding in gravity design only. The goal of the experimental test was to study the effectiveness of adding RC infill walls as retrofitting method, including designing it and the contribution of dowels that connect the new infill wall to the existing RC building. In other words, it is a strengthen method carry out by conversion of selected bays into new infilled RC walls. The results of analytical modeling of the RC structure in the Abaqus software show that the percentage of differences of X- Direction in top story displacement between Abaqus software and Experimental tested at ELSA results are 2.47% in positive and 3.12% for negative X direction, which refer to a very good similarity and accurate building simulation.

Keywords

• connection details
• finite element analysis
• numerical simulations
• rc infill walls
• retrofitting of rc buildings
• abaqus (2019) software