SEISMIC TESTS ON A 16-STOREY CAST-IN-PLACE R/C

BUILDING, AND STOCHASTIC SIMULATION RESULTS

A. ZAICENCO AND V. ALKAZ
Institute of Geophysics and Geology, Moldavian Academy of Sciences, str. Academiei 3, 2028, Kishinev, Moldova
SUMMARY
Records of the dynamic response of a 16-storey cast-in-place reinforced concrete apartment building subjected to
moderate-magnitude (M
w
` 70) earthquakes were performed before and after three recent signicant Vrancea
earthquakes. They are compared with random vibration simulation results based on a newly developed computer
program and with an FEM linear model of the building, employing time-history analysis. Theoretical
investigations tted to the results of the tests conrmed the validity of the approaches used and demonstrate
satisfactorily good compatibility of the simulated and observed structural responses. The seismic records from the
test building (str. Roz 15, Kishinev, Moldova), consisting of displacements and accelerations, were taken in free-
eld, and at the foundation, the 8th storey and the top of the building. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1. INTRODUCTION
Random vibration theory for the linear structural response was developed in works of Crandall et al.
(1970), Ditlevsen (1971), Davenport (1964) and Vanmarcke (1974). These approaches yield
information about the distribution of structural response allowing direct assessment of the probability
of exceeding certain response levels, and provide solutions for the rst passage problem. The theory
was developed for the stationary response to Gaussian white noise of linear lightly damped systems.
Newly developed software, which incorporates these procedures, was tested on the data from real
observations on a 16-storey r/c building. Seismic monitoring of the building was performed starting
from 1984, such that the inuence of strong earthquakes from 1986 (M
w
= 72) and 1990 (M
w
= 70) on
the changes in the dynamic parameters of the building (periods and damping) were studied.
The degree of stationarity of base excitation as well as the lack of nonlinear structural behaviour
observed from test records of moderate-magnitude events satised the range-of-applicability demands
of the theory of random vibration.
2. THEORETICAL PROCEDURES
The applied methods of random vibration response of MDOF linear systems are based on the
procedure proposed by Vanmarcke (1976) and Corotis et al. (1972) for linear systems exposed to
steady-state stationary Gaussian broad-band excitation. The duration of the seismic motion taken into
THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF TALL BUILDINGS
Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Received June 2000
Accepted August 2000
* Correspondence to: Dr. Anton Zaicenco, Institute of Geophysics and Geology, Moldovian Academy of Sciences, str.
Academiei 3, 2028, Kishinev, Moldova.
considerations is dened as the time interval between two specic fractions of total energy of the
acceleration record:
E
tot
=

t
d
0
[a(t)[
2
dt (1)
The cumulative energy of the acceleration record increases from zero to the total accumulated
energy for the total duration of seismic motion, t
d
. The spectral content of the earthquake ground
acceleration motion is characterized by a power spectral density, PSD, calculated using the Fourier
amplitude spectrum [A(3)[. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithms are introduced into the
program.
For classication of the frequency bandwidth of recorded ground acceleration values from the
theory of stationary stochastic processes were usedindices of frequency bandwidth calculated on the
basis of the ith order moments of the PSD function G(3):
!
i
=

0
3
i
G(3) d3 (2)
(i) Cartwright and Longuet-Higgins:
4 = (1 !
2
2
a!
0
!
4
)
1a2
(3)
and (ii) Vanmarcke:
q = (1 !
1
2
a!
0
!
2
)
1a2
(4)
The stochastic response of an MDOF system is represented by spectra dening the probability P
a
(t)
that the system response fails to make passage across a specied response level a during the time
interval t. The probability P
a
(t) that response [y(t)[ does not exceed the level of a during time interval
(0, t), decays exponentially with time (Crandall et al., 1966):
P
a
(t) = A exp (t) (5)
= 2#
a
[1 exp ((%a2)
05

e
r)[a[1 exp (r
2
a2)[ (6)
where r = a/'
y
is the reduced level of a with respect to the standard deviation of system response, '
y

e
= [(1 !
1,y
2
/!
0,y
!
2,y
)
1/2
]
12
is the bandwidth measure; and A is the probability of starting below the
threshold (equal to 1, since the response builds up from the rest).
The time-dependent PSD function G
z
(3, t) of the absolute acceleration response z(t) is given by
G
z
(3Y t) G(3) 1 3
2

n
k=1
c
k
H
k
(3Y t)
2
(7)
where c
k
= f
kB

k
(f
kB
is the characteristic shape ordinate for mode k at point B, and
k
is the
70 A. ZAICENO AND V. ALKAZ
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)
participation factor in the kth mode); H
k
(3, t) is the system transfer function for the kth mode:
H(3Y t) =

t
0
h(t () exp (i3() d( =

n
k=1
c
k
H(3Y t) (8)
The time-dependent transfer function [H
k
(3, t)[ is, for practical purposes, equal to the complete transfer
function [H
k
(3)[ with equivalent time-dependent damping parameter z
k,t
:
[H(3)[
2
= [(3
2
n
3
2
)
2
4$
2
3
2
n
3
2
[
1
(9)
The eigenvalue problem solution for the MDOF system, which is a lumped parameter model, is
simplied by the fact that the stiffness matrix has three diagonals; such simple elimination of elements
above and below the main diagonal yields the solution of the equation det;[ [K]-3
2
[M] [ = 0. Inverting
the matrices was performed using the GaussJordan method.
Convolution of the PSD function of the base excitation with the system transfer function is
performed using (i) pure Fourier components of the base motion and (ii) applying a linear smoothening
lter before convolution. Besides, in a case of short time-series, the program automatically trails
zeroes at the end of the record to provide sufcient resolution in frequency domain.
Storey mass and stiffness as well as values of damping associated with certain modes of vibration
are introduced interactively; the program allows visualization of the modes of vibration and control of
modal shapes, orthonormalized and participation factors matrices.
The result envelope of the structural response in terms of accelerations having a predened
probability of non-exceedance could be constructed by the program for target probabilities with step
Dp = 002, with indication of the standard deviation of storey response as the area under PSD function;
oor PSD is provided with optional smoothing.
3. DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TEST BUILDING
The moderate-magnitude seismic events, with records in terms of displacements and acceleration,
considered for the analysis are provided in Table I. The 16-storey cast-in-place r/c building, Figure 1,
is instrumented in free-eld, at the basement, 8th oor and top of the structure along the central
section axis. It should be noted that, unfortunately, the placement of instruments does not allow study
of the inuence of torsional contributions, which obviously are present for such tall building.
Table I. Moderate-magnitude seismic events from Vrancea source recorded on the test building
Seismic event
Time
(h:m)
Magnitude
(GutenbergRichter)
Focal depth
(km)
Epicentral distance
(km)
4 March 1977 19:22 72 109
20 Jan 1984 7:27 50 150 190
16 Aug 1986 6:41 50 100 255
30 Aug 1986 21:28 70 133
30 May 1990 10:40 67 150 150
13 Jan 1991 3:23 50 100 210
21 Nov 1992 12:55 52 100 200
31 Mar 1992 15:04 52 100 235
Strong seismic eventno records available.
SEISMIC TESTS ON 16-STOREY R/C BUILDING 71
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)
The low-amplitude test records of the building studied were performed during peroid 19841993
before and after strong earthquakes, in analogue the format (see Table I). Amplitudefrequency
characteristics of the recording channels, for both accelerations and displacements, suggested
utilization of range of periods 00210 s where no correction should be applied. This window of
periods satisfactorily covers the range of eigen-frequencies of the tested building (see Table II).
The test building was constructed in 1976 and designed according to Russian building code SNiP II-
A. 12-69 taking into account the following:
* seismic intensity at the construction site (MSK)7 grades, i.e. PGA = 01 g;
* mass of the storey (dead load): 383 10
3
kg;
* bearing structureinternal cast-in-place r/c diaphragms (Figure 1, right);
* natural period of vibration (longitudinal directionX): T = 055 s;
* foundationcontinuous r/c slab.
According to the design project, the bearing structure of the building was modelled as an MDOF
system with lumped masses and storey stiffness. Assuming that the total storey stiffness formed by the
r/c cast-in-place diaphragm in the longitudinal direction is equal to (Crawley, 1984):
P = E
h
3
3I

3h
A

1
(10)
where t is the thickness of the wall, I = tL
3
/12, A = tL; L = length; and h = storey height. Assuming the
Figure 1. R/c 16-storey test building. Plan of the instrumented central section
Table II. Eigenfrequencies for the test building in the longitudinal direction, X. Reduced stiffness
Mode 1 2 3 4 5 6
T(s) 081 027 016 012 009 008
72 A. ZAICENO AND V. ALKAZ
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)
shear modulus to be 40% of the elastic modulus, the storey stiffness becomes
P = 21 10
9
28
28
2
3130

3
205 024

1
= 117 10
4
kN m
1
(11)
Solutions of the eigenvalues problem for MDOF system (lumped masses storey stiffness),
providing results from Table III, give dynamic characteristics at the design stage.
Owing to the three severe Vrancea earthquakes experienced (4 March 1977, 30 August 1986 and 30
May 1990), changes in value of the natural period of vibration occurred, which were measured from
the moderate-amplitude seismic records, (see Figure 2). As may be observed from the results given in
Table IV, the natural period of the test building has changed from (longitudinal direction X) 06 to 081
s as a consequence of inuence of three strong earthquakes.
Therefore, for the purposes of the current random vibration analysis, the initial design storey
stiffness was reduced such as to provide compatibility with the new measured structural period.
Slight shortening of natural periods in 19861990 (see Table IV) was probably due to the mending
of partition walls of the building; yet no strengthening works were performed. Besides, as no cracks
were observed in the bearing structure after strong earthquakes, the reduction of structural stiffness
indicated by changes in natural periods was due to both (i) micro-damage to structural elements and
(ii) weakening of connections with partitions and external panels.
The time evolution of damping was not considered owing to changes being minor, around 45% for
both directions. Damping was calculated from the autocorrelation function for the decaying coda of
the structural response at the top of the building (Celebi, 1993).
4. FEM TIME-HISTORY ANALYSIS
For calibrating the random vibration simulation results, the SAP-90 program was employed to
generate a nite element model of the building. Because of the buildings plan and elevation
regularity, a simplied analysis was performed on the base of the planar model. The longitudinal
resistant wall was modelled with shell elements (total 960); joints of the oors were constrained to
have equal displacements, such accounting for the effect of rigid r/c oor slabs; seismic excitation was
Table III. Eigenfrequencies for the 16-storey r/c building in the longitudinal direction, X. Design stiffness
Mode 1 2 3 4 5 6
T(s) 059 020 012 009 007 006
Table IV. Changes in period of natural vibration of the test building (using moderate-amplitude instrumental
measurements)
Natural periods of vibration (s)
1977 1986 1990
Before After After After 1993 1994
4 March 1977 4 March 1977 31 August 1986 30 May 1990 May October October
T
x
T
y
T
x
T
y
T
x
T
y
T
x
T
y
T
x
T
y
T
x
T
y
T
x
T
y
06 06 069 07 083 08 081 074 081 075 082 074 081 074
4 March 1977GutenbergRichter magnitude M = 72; 30 August 1986M = 70; 30 May 1990.
SEISMIC TESTS ON 16-STOREY R/C BUILDING 73
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)
assigned to the base of the structure. The number of equations solved was 1029. Only acceleration
records were considered for this analysis.
The resulting eigenfrequencies are provided in Table V, which are almost the same as those
obtained for the reduced stiffness hypothesis.
The oor response time-histories were exported from the Saptime program and their PSD functions
were calculated and compared with the results of stochastic simulation and real observations. As may
be observed from Figure 3, the results seem to be close from all PSD spectra, slightly differing in
amplitude level. Yet it is noted that no smoothing was performed, and pure Fourier components were
considered for the random vibration analysis, which obviously amplied even slight peaks.
From peak values of oor time-histories (FEM model) the envelope of the structural response was
constructed (see Fig 4), which is another parameter to be considered in the comparative analysis.
The envelope of the structural response in terms of acceleration was compared for both cases: the
FEM model and random vibration, performed with the program developed. The assigned probability
Figure 2. Accelerations processed for the test building, X component (13 January 1991). Identication of natural
period
Table V. Eigenfrequencies for the 16-storey r/c building (longitudinal direction). FEM planar model
Mode 1 2 3 4 5 6
T(s) 084 028 017 012 009 008
74 A. ZAICENO AND V. ALKAZ
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)
Figure 3. The 13 January 1991 Vrancea earthquake (M
w
= 53). PSD (accelerations) at the 8th oor and at the top
of the building (longitudinal direction) from FEM, random vibration models and real records
Figure 4. Envelope of the structural response: random vibration and FEM models (cm s
2
)
SEISMIC TESTS ON 16-STOREY R/C BUILDING 75
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)
of non-exceedance for the stochastic response was 05 (mean values of response) and 084
(mean sigma).
Both envelopes (see Figure 4), suggest clear dominance of the 2nd mode of vibration of the
building, T
2
= 028 s (357 Hz), under the given moderate-magnitude seismic excitation, which is also
observed from PSD functions of records at the 8th oor and the top of the structure, Figure 3.
The stochastic model shows lower values of structural response in comparison with FEM at the rst
4 stories, which does not depend on the assigned level of probability. The best t with FEM provides
mean sigma model. Finally, both envelopes are approximately similar in shape, which provides the
basement for positive conclusion on the applicability of the random vibration approach.
5. NECESSITY FOR CONSIDERATION OF SOILSTRUCTURE INTERACTION
The effect of soilstructure interaction, SSI, was not taken into account in the current analysis, yet
some remarks should be made to emphasize its necessity, especially in the case of tall heavy buildings
resting on soft soils with low-to-moderate value of shear-wave velocity.
Owing to the availability of the seismic records in free-eld and the foundation of the 16-storey
cast-in-place r/c building studied, the SSI was clearly observed. It consists in the amplication of
frequencies close to the natural period of structural vibration and in the reduction of the high
frequencies (at 002 s). The response spectra ratios in terms of accelerations for records in the free-
eld, at the foundation, and at the 8th oor and top of the building are provided in Figure 5.
Besides, it could be observed that SSI results in higher values of total system-spectral amplication
function in the case of free-eld records (Figure 5, right).
6. CONCLUSIONS
Records from a moderate-magnitude earthquake obtained from the 16-story r/c cast-in-place building
were compared with the results from a FEM model and a newly developed program for random
vibration analysis of linear MDOF systems. The results proved to be compatible and suggest the
validity of the methods and algorithms applied. The necessity of considering SSI effects is emphasized
due to the observed spectral change from free-eld to foundation. Finally, the results of the study are
suitable for low-amplitude linear structural analysis and should not be directly extrapolated to strong-
Figure 5. 30 May, 1990 (M
w
= 67): response spectra ratios for records at the foundation and free-eld (left), and at
the top of the structure, foundation and free-eld (right)
76 A. ZAICENO AND V. ALKAZ
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)
motion case. The limitations of the applied random vibration approach, as well as constraints from the
placement of instruments on the test building, did not allow us to consider the torsional mode of the
structure, which is usually present in similar tall buildings.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Data were kindly provided by the Institute of Geophysics and Geology, Moldavian Academy of
Sciences, whose specialists performed all the seismic recordings used in the current analysis. Special
thanks are due to Dr Roman for fruitful discussions and collaboration during work on the paper.
REFERENCES
Celebi M, Phan LT, Marshall RD. 1993. Dynamic characteristics of ve tall buildings during strong and low-
amplitude motions. The Structural Design of Tall Buildings. 2: 115.
Clough RW, Penzien J. 1975. Dynamics of Structures. McGraw-Hill: New York.
Corotis R, Vanmarcke EH, Cornell CA. 1972. First passage of nonstationary random processes. Journal of the
Engineering Mechanics Division, ASCE. 98 (EM2): 401414.
Crandall SH, Mark WD. 1963. Random Vibration in Mechanical Systems. Academic Press: New York.
Crandall SH, Chandiramani KL, Cook RG. 1966. Some rst passage problems in random variations. J. Appl.
Mech. 33: (Ser. E): 532.
Crandall SH. 1970. First-crossing probabilities of the linear oscillator. J Sound Vib. 12: 285300.
Crawley SW, Dillon RM, Carter WO. 1984. Steel Buildings, Analysis and Design. John Wiley & Sons Inc: New
York.
Davenport AG. 1964. Note on the distribution of the largest value of a random function with application to gust
loading. Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. 28: 187196.
Ditlevsen O. 1971. Extremes and First Passage Times with Applications in Civil Engineering. Thesis, Technical
University of Denmark, Copenhagen.
Kennedy RP, Shinozuka M. 1989. Recommended Minimum Power Spectral Density Functions Compatible with
NRC Regulatory Guide 160 Response Spectrum. Prepared for Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Vanmarcke EN. 1976. Structural response to earthquakes. In Lomnitz C, and Rosenblueth (Eds), Seismic Risk and
Engineering Decisions. Elsevier: Amsterdam and New York.
Vanmarcke EH. 1974. Structural Response to Earthquakes. MIT: Cambridge, MA.
Wilson EL. SAP-90, Structural Analysis Program.
Zaicenco A. 2000. http://www.earthquake.bizland.com
SEISMIC TESTS ON 16-STOREY R/C BUILDING 77
Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Struct. Design Tall Build. 10, 6977 (2001)