Capacity Evaluation and Spectral Analysis of Damaged Low-Rise Reinforced Concrete Building

Abstract

Numerous buildings sustained damage during the November 26, 2019, earthquake in Durres, particularly in the cities of Durres, Kruja, and Tirana. The majority of existing older buildings in these regions lack adequate seismic safety measures due to deficiencies in their original designs. Furthermore, these structures were often constructed with substandard workmanship and, in many cases, without the involvement of professional engineers. This paper focuses on the in-situ investigation of one such building to assess the extent of damage. A comprehensive analysis is performed, encompassing material tests, geological assessments, and seismic hazard evaluations conducted on both the building and its construction site. The building is then modeled using existing material properties through specialized software, and various analyses, including modal analysis, capacity evaluation, and spectrum analysis, are carried out. The empirical results derived from these analyses are subsequently compared with the observed damage to the building. In light of the findings, the paper explores potential retrofitting techniques aimed at repairing the current structural deficiencies. The proposed strategies are discussed with the goal of aligning the structure with the requirements outlined in Eurocode 8.