SEISMIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A FIVE STORY RC TEMPLATE BUILDING IN ALBANIA THROUGH NONLINEAR ANALYSIS

Abstract

Over the past few years, Albania has faced significant seismic events causing varying degrees of damage to RC buildings. Many of these buildings were constructed before the implementation of modern seismic codes, increasing the risk posed by frequent seismic activity in the region. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the performance of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, especially those lacking seismic detailing. Furthermore, Albania's ongoing economic and social development has led to increased construction activity. A significant portion of the current housing stock consists of buildings constructed during the communist era, particularly between 1980 and 1983. These buildings are spread across Albania and were built based on unique geological considerations. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of their operational capacity according to Albanian construction standards is required. The structural performance of a 5-story reinforced concrete building is evaluated using finite element analysis software Zeus-NL. The load-bearing capacity of the selected template is done using the nonlinear static analysis, Pushover. The application of pushover is achieved using uniform, triangular, and modal loading patterns. Additionally, the demand calculation is considered based on the capacity spectrum method (CSM). Furthermore, the limit states are defined in the Pushover curves as Immediate Occupancy (IO), Life Safety (LS), and Collapse Prevention (CP) based on the modern guidelines of FEMA 356. Lastly, the performance evaluation of the building is conducted based on the outputs of analyses. At the end, key findings and limitations are presented, along with suggestions for further investigation.