SEISMIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF AZEM HAJDARI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Abstract

Seismic performance evaluation plays a critical role in assessing the structural integrity and safety of buildings, particularly in earthquake-prone regions such as Albania. This study focuses on evaluating the seismic performance of Azem Hajdari Elementary School, a reinforced concrete building, by employing advanced analysis techniques. The research utilizes the pushover nonlinear analysis method to estimate the structural capacity and the capacity spectrum method for demand calculation, both implemented with the aid of SAP2000 software. The study begins with the development of a finite element model of the Azem Hajdari Elementary School within the SAP2000 environment. The model is constructed based on the as-built plans and specifications, incorporating plan details. Subsequently, a pushover analysis is performed to assess the capacity of the building. Pushover analysis involves gradually increasing the base shear, simulating the distribution of lateral forces during an earthquake, and measuring the corresponding structural response. The results obtained from the pushover analysis are used to establish the capacity curve, which represents the relationship between the applied load and the corresponding deformation capacity. Furthermore, the capacity spectrum method is employed to determine the seismic demand on the structure based on ATC-40. By analyzing the intersection points between the capacity curve and the spectrum, the corresponding demand is iv estimated. This provides valuable insights into the building's ability to withstand seismic forces. The findings of the study are presented in terms of the capacity curves, demand spectra, and the performance levels achieved by the Azem Hajdari Elementary School. The results indicate that the building exhibits adequate capacity to resist seismic forces with a satisfactory level of performance to ensure life safety limit state.