Capacity of a multi-purpose arena against seismic actions assumed in China

Abstract

The objective of this master’s thesis is to apply actions assumed in accordance with national standards of China and give an overview of the process of earthquake risk assessment (ERA). This work focuses on verifying seismic performance and quantifying load bearing capacity of an arena by applying design criteria and analytical approaches proposed by Chinese code for seismic design of buildings (GB 50011-2010). To comprehensively illustrate the seismic design procedure, a multi-purposed stadium located in Kazan, Russia, is analyzed by the finite element analysis (FEA) program RFEM as a case study. Performance-based seismic design (PBSD) methodology is applied to emphasize the design principle based on the checking of deformations, in addition to a traditional ‘force-based approach’. Linear dynamic analysis is performed to define dynamic properties of the building concerned.

The base shear method, response spectrum method and non-linear time history method are proposed in GB 50011-2010. The solution for this case is found by applying response spectrum analysis method, associated with equivalent lateral force method, as well as performance-based seismic design (PBSD) methodology. The results indicate that concerned arena can be considered as an earthquake-resistant structure in design intensity zones VI (PGA=0.05g) and VII (PGA=0.10g). However, it has not sufficient capacity to withstand seismic actions in high-intensity zone VIII (PGA=0.20g) and IX (PGA=0.40g) in China.