Precast Concrete Buildings In Seismic Areas

This document has a broad scope and is not focussed on design issues. Precast construction under seismic conditions is treated as a whole. The main principles of seismic design of different structural systems, their behavior and their construction techniques are presented through rules, construction steps and sequences, procedures, and details that should lead to precast structures built in seismic areas complying with the fundamental performance requirements of collapse prevention and life safety in major earthquakes and limited damage in more frequent earthquakes. The content of this document is largely limited to conventional precast construction and, although some information is provided on the well-known “PRESSS technology” (jointed ductile dry connections), this latter solution is not treated in detail in this document. The general overview, contained in this document, of alternative structural systems and connection solutions available to achieve desired performance levels, intends to provide engineers, architects, clients, and end-users (in general) with a better appreciation of the wide range of applications that modern precast concrete technology can have in various types of construction from industrial to commercial as well as residential. Lastly, the emphasis on practical aspects, from conceptual design to connection detailing, aims to help engineers to move away from the habit of blindly following prescriptive codes in their design, but instead go back to basic principles, in order to achieve a more robust understanding, and thus control, of the seismic behaviour of the structural system as a whole, as well as of its components and individual connections.

The aim of this state-of-art report is to present current practices for use of precast and prestressed concrete in countries in seismic regions, to recommend good practice, and to discuss current developments. The report has been drafted by 30 contributors from nine different countries. This state-of-art report covers: state of the practice in various countries; advantages and disadvantages of incorporating precast reinforced and prestressed concrete in construction; lessons learned from previous earthquakes; construction concepts; design approaches; primary lateral load resisting systems (precast and prestressed concrete frame systems and structural walls including dual systems) diaphragms of precast and prestressed concrete floor units; modelling and analytical methods; gravity load resisting systems; foundations; and miscellaneous elements (shells, folded plates, stairs and architectural cladding panels). Design equations are reported where necessary, but the emphasis is on principles. Ordinary cast-in-place reinforced concrete is not considered in this report. This fib state-of-the-art report is intended to assist designers and constructors to provide safe and economical applications of structural precast concrete and at the same time to allow innovation in design and construction to continue. This Bulletin N° 27 was approved as an fib state-of-art report in autumn 2002 byfib Commission 7, Seismic design.

* Presents the basics of seismic-resistant design of concrete structures. * Provides a major focus on the seismic design of precast bracing systems.

This is an essential reference for practicing civil and structural engineers and architects involved with projects in earthquake regions. Undergraduate and advanced students of earthquake engineering will welcome the comprehensive and approachable coverage.

Reinforced concrete (R/C) is one of the main building materials used worldwide, and an understanding of its structural performance under gravity and seismic loads, albeit complex, is crucial for the design of cost effective and safe buildings. Concrete Buildings in Seismic Regions comprehensively covers of all the analysis and design issues related to the design of reinforced concrete buildings under seismic action. It is suitable as a reference to the structural engineer dealing with specific problems during the design process and also for undergraduate and graduate structural, concrete and earthquake engineering courses. This revised edition provides new and significantly developed coverage of seismic isolation and passive devices, and coverage of recent code modifications as well as notes on future developments of standards. It retains an overview of structural dynamics, the analysis and design of new R/C buildings in seismic regions, post-earthquake damage evaluation, pre-earthquake assessment of buildings and retrofitting procedures, and several numerical examples. The book outlines appropriate structural systems for many types of buildings, explores recent developments, and covers the last two decades of analysis, design, and earthquake engineering. It specifically addresses seismic demand issues and the basic issues of structural dynamics, considers the "capacity" of structural systems to withstand seismic effects in terms of strength and deformation, and highlights the assessment of existing R/C buildings under seismic action. All of the material has been developed to fit a modern seismic code and offers in-depth knowledge of the background upon which the code rules are based. It complies with European Codes of Practice for R/C buildings in seismic regions, and includes references to current American Standards for seismic design.