Projects / Programmes
Research on probabilistic seismic risk assessment of structures
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.01.04 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Civil engineering |
Earthquake engineering |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T230 |
Technological sciences |
Building construction |
seismic resitant design, seismic risk, nonlinear dynamic analysis, pseudo-dynamic tests, probabilistic seismic analysis
Researchers (4)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
18793 |
PhD Matjaž Dolšek |
Civil engineering |
Head |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 2. |
24337 |
PhD Miha Kramar |
Civil engineering |
Researcher |
2009 |
0 |
| 3. |
08745 |
PhD Iztok Peruš |
Civil engineering |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
| 4. |
07711 |
Andrej Vitek |
Civil engineering |
Researcher |
2007 - 2009 |
0 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The performance of structures in recent catastrophic earthquakes points to the need for improved seismic design approaches capable of achieving explicit determination of seismic risk. Therefore the performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) seeks to improve seismic risk decision-making through assessment and design methods that have a strong scientific basis and that express options in terms that enable stakeholders to make informed decision. The methodology, which successfully treats this problem, is the widely used PEER Center methodology for PBEE. The methodology is rigorous probabilistic and permits consistent characterization of the inherent uncertainties throughout the process. Through its modular architecture, the methodology facilitates a system approach to organize the multidisciplinary research necessary to develop the models, criteria, and tools for its implementation. The methodology decomposes the seismic risk assessment problem into the four basic elements of hazard analysis, structural analysis, damage analysis and loss estimation. The last five years the research group Earthquake Engineering at the University of Ljubljana is also involved in research on probabilistic seismic risk assessment of structures and in last twenty years or so in the development of a relatively simple nonlinear method (N2 method) for seismic design of new buildings and of seismic evaluation of existing buildings. The N2 method is based on deterministic approach and has been implemented in the final version of the European standard Eurocode 8 and recently partly extended to make it applicable within PEER Center methodology. The main aim of the proposed research is further development of a practice-oriented probabilistic approach for seismic assessment of structures which will be able to provide information on the seismic risk of the built environment and will facilitate decisions related to seismic resistant design of new structures and on potential seismic strengthening of existing structures. Research will be concentrated on three problems, which have been identified as critical for the practical application of the new approach. The first problem is the determination of the deformation capacity of reinforced concrete frames and of the uncertainty related to this capacity. The second is the determination of typical values of dispersion measure for randomness and uncertainty in displacement demand. In order to perform this research different mathematical models will be developed and validated based on the results of pseudo-dynamic tests. The last problem is the adjustment and improvement of the N2 method to make it applicable within the PERR probabilistic framework. The results of the planned research will facilitate the practical application of the new approach. Within the proposed project research work will be performed in close cooperation with the research program Earthquake Engineering and European project LESSLOSS, which is the only integrated project in the field of Earthquake Engineering within the 6th framework and includes 48 partners.
Significance for science
Within the research project a practice-oriented probabilistic approach for seismic assessment of structures has been developed. The method was developed to be simple in order to be applicable also for practical use. As such it will be able to provide information on the seismic risk of the built environment and will facilitate decisions related to seismic resistant design of new structures and on potential seismic strengthening of existing structures. Within a research we contributed to the following subfields:
• The determination of the deformation capacity of reinforced concrete frames and of the uncertainty related to this capacity.
• The determination of typical values of dispersion measure for randomness and uncertainty in displacement demand.
• Adjustment and improvement of the N2 method to make it applicable within the PERR probabilistic framework.
Significance for the country
Although research was in general basic, the final objective was to develop a transparent design methodology that is of practical significance. The results of this project have an impact on the state of knowledge and facilitate and accelerate the adoption of more realistic and transparent design procedures. The research is also very timely since new codes are staring to be implemented in near future in Europe (EUROCODE 8, the new Slovenian code based on EUROCODE) and throughout the world. The results will also contribute to the further development of codes for seismic resistant design, which will enable design and construction of safer and more economical building and civil engineering structures.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
