The use of post-earthquake residual displacements as a performance indicator in seismic assessment

Abstract

A new post-earthquake seismic performance assessment method for structures which takes into account residual displacements is proposed. The post-earthquake residual displacements and the observable damage to the structure are considered to obtain improved estimates of the maximum deformations that took place during the earthquake. The improved estimates of the maximum deformations are expected to yield a better picture of the extent of damage to the structure. As a result, better informed decisions regarding the post-earthquake usability and repairability of the structure can be taken. Both the uncertainties associated with the structural properties and the probable errors owing to the imperfectness of the analytical models are considered in the proposed method. A trial application of the method to a real structure tested on a shaking table is presented.

Keywords:

• post-earthquake assessment
• residual displacement
• damage assessment
• response simulation error
• Monte Carlo simulation
• Bayesian analysis

Acknowledgements

The generous support provided by the Swiss National Science Foundation for the research project Management of Earthquake Risks using Condition Indicators (MERCI) under grant 200021-104027 is greatly acknowledged. Dr. M. Hachem, Professor S.A. Mahin and Professor J.P. Moehle are acknowledged for providing the shaking table test data. The authors wish to thank Professor P. Gülkan and Professor M.N. Fardis for the fruitful discussions on the presented study. Dr. K. Beyer reviewed the first draft of the manuscript.