Structural Dynamic Analysis of a Non Symmetrical RC Building within the Context of a Blind Prediction Contest

摘要

The Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA) launched a blind prediction contest project entitled SMART 2008. The objective of this benchmark is to predict the dynamic behavior of a non-symmetric, 3-dimensional, reinforced concrete (RC) building designed in accordance with French nuclear design methods and subjected to seismic excitation. The experimental tests have been carried out with a well instrumented, three-dimensional, RC specimen on the AZALEE shaking table at CEA. The team of ENSI (Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate) and Basler & Hofmann Consulting Engineers has developed several linear and non-linear analytical models to best predict the results from these experimental tests. Development of these models and comparisons of their predictions are presented in this paper. A modeling study has been conducted with three parts: 1) a comparison of non-linear, linear best estimate, and linear design practice models, 2) a refined non-linear investigation regarding the importance of considering non-linearities from previous test runs, and 3) a refined non-linear investigation highlighting the importance of considering out-of-plane stiffness degradation from concrete cracking.