Study on Earthquake Damage Distribution of Multistory Masonry Buildings
The main components which affect the earthquake damage grades classification of multistory masonry build- ings and the damage characters are summarized and analyzed through the statistics and analysis of a large number of pre- vious earthquake damage data. According to the standard of earthquake damage grades classification, the damage num- bers of each component of multistory masonry buildings under different earthquake damage indexes are analyzed quanti- tatively and the calculation formulas based on the relationship between the damage numbers of components and the earth- quake damage index under different cases are given; Based on the structural analysis of multistory masonry buildings and the research of earthquake damage data, the calculation formulas of the earthquake damage distributions in different floors and main components' different positions on the same floor of multistory masonry buildings are given, which provides us a platform to objectively understand the earthquake damage distribution of multistory masonry buildings; The earthquake damage distribution is an important factor to affect the realistic degree of the 3-D damage models in the scene simulation system for earthquake disaster, this paper also provides a theoretical basis for the modeling of the 3-D damage models of multistory masonry structure; Finally, the earthquake damage distribution of the bearing wall of a five-storey masonry building in the minor damage has been given as an example.
Seismic assessment of St. James church by means of pushover analysis : before and after the New Zealand earthquake
The paper presents a numerical study for the seismic assessment of the St James Church in Christchurch, New Zealand affected by the recent 2011 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. The structural behavior of the Church has been evaluated using the finite element modelling technique, in which the nonlinear behavior of masonry has been taken into account by proper constitutive assumptions. Two numerical models were constructed, one incorporating the existing structural damage and the other considering the intact structure. The validation of the numerical models was achieved by the calibration of the damaged model according to dynamic identification tests carried out in situ after the earthquake. Non-linear pushover analyses were carried out on both principal directions demonstrating that, as a result of the seismic action, the Church can no longer be considered safe. Pushover analysis results of the undamaged model show reasonable agreement with the visual inspection performed in situ, which further validates the model used. Finally, limit analysis us- ing macro-block analysis was also carried out to validate the main local collapse mechanisms of the Church.
PASSIVE AND LOW-ENERGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICES-DEHUMIDIFICATION
Methods of achieving acceptable indoor conditions in overheated, temperate, and underheated humid climates are discussed and compared. Desiccants and desiccant systems utilizing solid and liquid sorbents and various low-energy mechanical systems are described and evaluated.