Recovery-based design of structures

Recent earthquakes have demonstrated that code-conforming modern reinforced concrete (RC) buildings (i.e., post-1970s) can satisfy life safety performance objectives. However, the accumulated damage in these modern buildings raised concerns about their performance in any future events; contributing to widespread demolition and long-term closure of damaged buildings. The economic and environmental impacts associated with the demolition and long-term closure of modern buildings led to societal demands for improved design procedures to limit damage and shorten recovery time after earthquakes. We propose a repairability-based design approach for structural systems. The proposed approach targets recovery-based performance objectives through component deformation design limits that are defined to ensure that structural components are repairable (i.e., the components have sufficient residual capacity to withstand future events without requiring safety-critical repair) after design-level events. 

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The research project combines laboratory testing with extensive nonlinear and recovery analyses to inform the adequacy of the proposed repairability-based design framework. The research project is informing an American Concrete Institute (ACI 374A) guide on designing reinforced concrete structures for functional recovery.

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Relevant papers are currently under review in reputable journals.

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