Project Tasks

The work plan for the proposed project has been defined in order to pursue the objectives previously defined. For this purpose eight work packages/tasks are defined and described below:

Task 1 Description of nonlinear static procedures
This first task is related to the need of preparing a guideline element, outlining the most currently used Nonlinear Static Procedures on the seismic assessment/design of buildings and bridges. It will focus on the methods that yield to better performances when applied to 3D irregular structures pointing out the advantages and limitations of each one.

Task 2 Influence of modelling issues on nonlinear seismic static and dynamic analysis of 3D irregular structures
It intends to evaluate several modelling options and compare the structural response when performing nonlinear static and nonlinear dynamic analysis on 3D irregular structures. This issue was dealt by Sashi Kunnath and presented on the international Workshop in Lisbon 2008 (Bento and Pinho, 2008). It is clear that due attention and care should be paid to modelling issues (e.g. through accurately devised sensitivity studies) prior to the actual comparison between different seismic assessment methods.

Task 3 Performance verification of the generalized pushover curve for 3D irregular structures
It is aimed to test the applicability of a generalised pushover curve proposed by Goel (in Bento and Pinho, 2008) and the rules to convert it to the force-deformation relationship of the nth-“mode” inelastic SDOF system that is needed in implementation of the MPA procedure or any other NSPs. The generalized pushover curve is shown to be especially attractive for nonlinear static analysis of 3D structures in which modes excited during the earthquake ground motion may induce little or no base shear.

Task 4 The Modal Pushover Analysis (MPA) vs. improved MPA on the seismic assessment of 3D irregular structures
In this task the MPA procedure initially proposed by Chopra and its improved version proposed by Kappos will be evaluated by analysing a set of irregular 3D buildings (including plan-irregular) and bridges. The multimodal pushover curve will also be tested. All the results obtained both with the original and the improved MPA will be checked by means of nonlinear dynamic analysis results.

Task 5 Comparison of different nonlinear static procedures on the irregular 3D building’s assessment
This task aims to study and evaluate the performance of a set of novel performance-based seismic design and assessment procedures to 3D irregular structures, parametric comparison of the approaches chosen for irregular buildings and bridges will be developed.

Task 6 Development of a new version of the Adaptive Capacity Spectrum Method (ACSM) for the seismic assessment/design of irregular 3D buildings
Based on the results obtained for irregular buildings it is intended within this task to suggest a new version of the Adaptive Capacity Spectrum Method for the seismic assessment/design of irregular 3D buildings.

Task 7 Nonlinear static procedures for irregular bridges
The main aim of this task is to use different NSPs to a set of irregular bridges assessment. The NSPs that will be evaluated are the CSM-ATC40, CSM-FEMA440, N2 method and the ACSM. The results will be compared with the ones obtained in Task 4 using the MPA procedure and the improved MPA.

Task 8 Dissemination of results
Dissemination is a responsibility of the project and has to be pursued. It is indeed expected that information concerning the topics of the project will be spread by means of training courses, writing scientific notes and publications and by organizing a Workshop. The promotion of the project results will also be pursued through the information portal. The planned dissemination activities determine a visibility of all outcomes.