Seismic assessment and upgrading of masonry building: a case study from albanian practice

Abstract

Tirana and Durres city, along with the surrounding areas, were hit by two earthquakes in September and November 2019. The first earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale, dated 21.09.2019, and the second even a more powerful one on 26.11.2019 with a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale. The earthquakes caused a series of damage to many residential, social, cultural, educational, and industrial facilities. Among all these objects is also the "Building No. 152", in "Haki Stermilli" street, Kombinat area, Tirana.The building is made of silicate brick with wall thickness varying from 38cm to 25cm over the five floors. The foundation consists of butoconcrete and socle silicate brick.The object of the study will be the assessment of the damages caused by the earthquakes (especially the one dated 26.11.2019), the analysis of the object’s constructive stability, and the project of the necessary reinforcing interventions. For the evaluation of the supporting structure of the building we will rely on numerical calculations with finite elements (M.E.F) of 3-dimensional models, realized by commercial software which offers the possibility of calculating the structures with supporting masonry. More specifically, it will be used the numerical calculations performed in the software 3Muri-STA DATA, which offers calculation possibilities with special specifications for such structures. According to the requirements of Eurocodes in general the linear and nonlinear analyzes performed for the purpose of this in-depth analysis, the bearing capacity of the structures is insufficient. That’s why structural improvements are necessary. Referring to the results, at the end of this in-depth study, the most likely interventions for the building are: structural rehabilitation against seismic action, adaptation and/or improvement of secondary structural elements. Similar buildings with comparable design, construction features, and soil characteristics can use these intervention strategies to reinforce their structures. Specifically, a 5-floor masonry building with silicate bricks to enhance its safety and durability.