Task 1 | State-of-art review and initial studies
An extensive state-of-art review will be carried out on existing analytical models for numerical simulation of precast RC industrial buildings, in order to identify their main features and capabilities to deal with the precast members, elements subassemblages and the connections between elements in order to account with the effect of tridimensional seismic loading. A systematized collection of numerical modeling strategies used by other authors shall be obtained, in order to allow identifying lacunas of existing models and requirements for improvements. In addition, repair techniques and retrofitting strategies for improving the seismic behavior of precast RC buildings shall also be reviewed and reported in order to support and facilitate one key task of this project.
Task 2 | Typical properties of the Portuguese precast industrial buildings
As the focus of the project is the seismic assessment of existing precast industrial buildings and development of techniques for its retrofitting, it is of paramount importance to investigate the current precast industrial buildings typologies present in the Portuguese building stock. Additionally, it is also essential to characterize the type of connection between horizontal and vertical elements and the connection between the structural elements and the non-structural peripheral cladding panels, so that these elements can be reproduced in the numerical simulation of the behavior under seismic loading. Indeed, one of the major difficulties is the reasonable representation of the structural connections and interaction between structural and non-structural elements. Thus, the three main objectives of this Activity are the identification of; (1) the main typologies of precast industrial buildings in the Portuguese building stock, namely layout of the main horizontal members and roof arrangement of the materials, average spans, shapes and type of elements? cross-section, by the reinforcement detailing; (2) characterization of the connections between the different structural parts; (3) construction of a database with the information gathered, which will be fundamental for the definitions of experimental specimens and detailing for numerical simulation.
Task 3 | Development of a Vulnerability Model
A vulnerability model capable of providing the probabilistic distribution of loss ratio for a set of intensity measure levels is a fundamental tool to perform earthquake loss estimation and seismic risk assessment. Although these functions have been traditionally produced using observed damage and loss data, more recent studies propose the employment of analytical methodologies as a way to overcome the frequent lack of post-earthquake data. The main objective of this Task is to develop a set of vulnerability functions for the different structural typologies obtained in Task 2. To accomplish the main objective of this an analytical methodology will be adopted, in which thousands of analyses will be performed precast industrial buildings.
Task 4 | Development and validation of retrofitting solutions
One of the main goals of this Activity is the development of innovative solutions for retrofitting RC precast industrial buildings to minimize deficient mechanical connection between vertical and horizontal to improve the anchored at the column and beam and design of panel-structure connections to improve the performance of connection between the peripheral cladding panels and the precast structure. The option for the steel based materials is believed to be more beneficial under the environmental sustainability point of view, stiffness compatibility, economy, can be easily replaced, and enable continuous monitoring of the behavior of the structure. Another important aspect to be considered in the development is the easy application and installation.The solutions should be then designed based on the information obtained in Task 1, 2 and 3.
Task 5 | Life-Cycle assessment of seismic retrofit strategies applied to existing pre-cast RC Structures
The proposed approach aims to contribute to the sustainable design of retrofit interventions in precast industrial buildings, according to 2020 Europe Strategy. The main premise for this Activity, to support the definition of the seismic retrofit strategies with the support of the Life-Cycle assessment is to perform a comparative study of the retrofit options that the different strengthening solutions are designed to achieve the same structural performance in terms of seismic capacity. Usually, the retrofitting strategies applied to the existing structures are designed to increase the structural capacity to achieve the proper seismic safety level. In the present Activity is aimed to perform the Life-Cycle assessment for each solution, reflecting the different stages of the solution, namely a cradle-to-gate system boundary, considering the: extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing, and installation of the strengthening system, use, maintenance, end of life and transportation. In the end, the environmental results will have to be transformed in costs in order to be summed with structural results, expressed in economic terms.
The Objectives of this Activity is to assess the environmental impact of the retrofit solutions (to be tested in Activity 4) to define which strategy is more sustainable and is characterized by the lowest environmental impact. To perform the life-cycle assessment a well-known LCA software will be used. The methodology to be applied will be supported by a well-known LCA software and is according with the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) handbook from the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), in line with the international standards on LCA (ISO 14040/44).
Task 6 | Integration of the data, development of guidelines and application to real case studies
The data obtained in the project is expected to contribute to the upgrade of the information available about the seismic safety of existent RC precast industrial buildings. Besides the result of the numerical analysis and experimental activities, the present Task will be dedicated to the integration of information obtained, highlighting the technical and scientific advances achieved along the course of the project. There are not many guidelines for the seismic assessment and retrofitting of existent precast buildings and there is a research need towards to support the assessment methodologies, modeling assumptions, and definition of the retrofitting solutions. The extensive numeric modeling aiming at clarifying main parameters influencing on the seismic behavior before and after retrofitting and the testing campaign to validate the proposed solutions for the building retrofitting will provide information to define guidelines with recommendations for the structural assessment and retrofit of precast industrial buildings directed to technicians will be created and distributed. Another key objective of the present activity is the numerical evaluation of the seismic response of real case-study structures, in terms of representative engineering demand parameters in view of exercising the guidelines developed for assessment and retrofitting of precast existent industrial buildings.
Task 7 | Project management and organization of scientific and technical meetings
This Activity will require continuous activity concerning the project general management which includes coordination of Activities, work planning, result from the discussion, financial and technical reporting, work divulgation actions, preparation of the project scheduled meetings.