Next Generation of Earthquake-Resistant RC Structural Walls

在位于风或地震作用引起的巨大侧向力区域的建筑物中，钢筋混凝土结构墙是一种安全地将力从建筑物传递到地面的有效系统。在加拿大，位于地震易损区的大量建筑物(公寓楼、医院、工业和核设施)中都有结构墙。在智利、新西兰和日本最近发生的地震中进行的观察表明，墙体设计适当的建筑物表现良好，保护了结构不会倒塌。然而，地震后的墙体系统往往表现出严重的破坏和永久变形。对于许多受影响的建筑来说，这意味着在地震发生后需要进行昂贵的维修或拆除活动。这些发现对加拿大公众的影响是深远的。除了修复受损建筑所涉及的巨大经济负担外，在地震后的救援工作中，关键结构(如医院、桥梁、核设施和电信设施)的关闭可能是灾难性的。**最近的调查表明，使用创新的高性能材料和细节来减少建筑物和桥梁的损坏和永久变形是有好处的。这些材料在许多方面都优于传统的钢筋混凝土；使用这些先进材料建造的结构可以经受住严重地震，而不需要维修或停机进行评估或评估。对于医院或关键桥梁结构，在地震发生后紧接着的关键时间或几天内，这一点非常重要。这也代表着显著的节省，因为维修成本可能非常高，无论是停机时间还是所需的技术专业知识。**在这项拟议的研究中，将调查几种先进材料和细节在结构钢筋混凝土墙中的使用。具有卸载后形状记忆能力的镍钛合金、混凝土中嵌入塑料纤维的新型混凝土以及无粘结后张拉系统是本研究要研究的创新材料。这项研究的实验部分将包括几个结构墙的地震测试和反应评估，详细说明在易受破坏的地区使用创新材料。在地震试验后，将评估创新材料防止破坏和提高震后服务能力的能力。将开发分析模型，以准确捕捉和预测墙体的反应，同时考虑到创新材料的贡献。**这项研究的目的是表明，有可能建立真正的抗震建筑，这些建筑具有成本效益，而且建造起来可行；这些建筑在其生命周期内需要进行少量维修或不需要维修。预计最终，这项研究的产品和交付成果(高性能结构墙的设计指南和可靠的分析模型)将通过使用创新材料，在加拿大地震高发区的建筑物和其他结构中实现更安全、更经济的设计。

In buildings located in regions where significant lateral forces exist, caused by either wind or earthquake actions, reinforced-concrete structural walls are an efficient system to safely transmit the forces from the building to the ground. In Canada, structural walls are found in a large number of buildings (apartment complexes, hospitals, industrial and nuclear facilities) located on seismically vulnerable zones. Observations made during recent earthquakes in Chile, New Zealand and Japan has shown that buildings with adequately designed walls perform well, protecting the structures against collapse. However, wall systems after the earthquake often exhibit severe damage and permanent deformations. For many affected buildings, this means that costly repair or demolition activities are needed after a seismic event. The implications of these findings for the Canadian public are far-reaching. In addition to the significant economic burden involved in repairing a damaged building, the shut-down of critical structures (such as hospitals, bridges, nuclear and telecommunication facilities) may be catastrophic during the post-earthquake relief efforts.* *Recent investigations have shown the benefits of using innovative, high-performance materials and details to reduce damage and permanent deformations in buildings and bridges. These materials are superior to conventional reinforced-concrete in many aspects; structures built with these advanced materials can withstand severe earthquakes without the need of repairs or down-time for assessment or evaluation. This is very important in the case of hospitals or critical bridge structures during the critical hours or days that immediately follow after a seismic event. It also represents significant savings since the costs of repair can be very high, both in terms of down-time or the technical expertise required.**In this proposed research, the use of several advanced materials and details in structural reinforced-concrete walls will be investigated. A Nickel-Titanium alloy with the ability to "remember" its shape after it has been unloaded, a new type of concrete with plastic fibres embedded in the mix, and an unbonded post-tensioning system are the innovative materials to be studied in this research. The experimental part of the study will consist of the seismic testing and response evaluation of several structural walls, detailed with innovative materials in areas vulnerable to damage. After the seismic tests, the ability of the innovative materials to prevent damage and to improve post-earthquake serviceability will be evaluated. Analytical models will be developed to accurately capture and predict the response of the walls, taking into account the contribution of the innovative materials. ** The aim of the study is to show that it is possible to create truly earthquake-resistant buildings that are cost-effective and feasible to build; structures that require minor or no repairs during the course of their lifetime. It is expected that, ultimately, the products and deliverables of this study (design guidelines and reliable analytical models for high-performance structural walls) lead to a safer and economical designs in buildings and other structures located in zones with high seismicity in Canada, by using innovative materials.