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TITLE OF PROPOSAL: Seismic behavior of structural systems composed of cast in situ concrete walls
HOST TA FACILITY: EUCENTRE, Pavia, Italy
TA AGREEMENT BETWEEN USERS AND FACILITY: September 2010
STARTING DATE: September 2010
END DATE: January 2012
NO. OF USERS (researchers): 4
LEAD USER:
Salvador Ivorra Chorro - University of Alicante (Spain)
ADDITIONAL USERS:
Tomaso Trombetti - University of Bologna (Italy)
Dora Foti - Technical University of Bari (Italy)
Cristina Mihaela Campian - Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (Romania)
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED RESEARCH:
This research aims at obtaining an experimental evaluation of the seismic response of structural systems composed of cast in situ squat concrete walls.
Such structural systems are widely used for construction in non seismic areas and appreciated for their (i) limited constructions costs, (ii) limited installation times, (iii) great constructions flexibility and (iv) high energy and acoustic efficiency. Beyond all doubt, the seismic behavior of these structural systems substantially differs from that of cantilever structural wall systems.
On one hand, cantilever structural wall systems, dual systems (composed of ductile frames and cantilever walls coupled by beams) and moment-resisting space frame systems are the most commonly used reinforced concrete structural systems. There is a deep knowledge of their seismic behaviour in terms of both the single elements and the complete three-dimensional structural system, under either cyclic and dynamic (earthquake) loads. As a direct consequence of this aspect, the behaviour of frame systems and of cantilever structural wall systems is nowadays fairly well understood and code provisions give detailed guidelines to the designer, who intends to use the above structural system.
On the other hand, the study of the seismic behavior of structural systems composed of cast in situ squat concrete walls has been developed only recently and lies mainly in the study of the behaviour of the single squat wall panel under cyclic lateral loading.
In recent years, the seismic behaviour of cast in situ squat concrete walls has been the object of few scientific research works. In particular, most of these works focus on the study of the in-plane behavior of single cast in situ squat concrete wall under increasing horizontal loading cycles. Such researches have shown that cast in situ squat concrete walls have optimum (better than that of frame systems) characteristics both in terms of (i) strength resources towards horizontal loads and (ii) ductility capabilities.
The assessment of the seismic behavior and performances of such a structural system (which is intrinsically characterized by superior resistance to horizontal loads, as compared to the more common frame systems) may lead to changes/modifications in the way the common 4-5 storey high buildings (for European countries) are constructed in seismic areas.
The experimental shaking table tests here proposed aim mainly at the completion of the understanding of the seismic behavior and performances of three-dimensional structural systems composed of cast in situ squat concrete walls. This in order to identify appropriate seismic design rules for buildings to be constructed according to such techniques.
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SERIES Concluding Workshop
