Methodological guidance and quantitative measures regarding seismic capacity and safety of freestanding and inelastic anchored nonstructural elements housed in ordinary and critical facilities

Abstract

The study provides a comprehensive investigation of the seismic capacity and safety assessment of nonstructural elements (NEs). A general and extendable methodology is developed for robust assessment of two representative model categories of NEs: rocking-dominated rigid blocks (RBs) and inelastic single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems, accounting for most acceleration-sensitive elements housed in ordinary and critical facilities. Numerical analysis is carried out implementing nonlinear dynamic models for NEs and accounting for multiple features, such as loading history types (ground and floor motions), NE dynamic properties, intensity measures (IMs), and multiple damage states (DSs). Quantitative capacity measures are provided, as well as novel closed-form equations are proposed for expeditious capacity assessment of NEs, including both capacity curves and surfaces. The seismic safety of the investigated NEs is estimated considering both ordinary and critical buildings, over low- to high-seismicity sites in Italy.