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Alternative Approach to Analysing Infrastructure Using Limited Acceleration Time History Analysis

Trevor N. Haas 1 and Michael N. Solms 2
1. Department of Civil Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
2. Department of Civil Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa, AECOM, Middle East, Abu Dhabi

Abstract—Various methods are used to analyse infrastructure subjected to seismic loading. These range from push over analysis to acceleration time history analysis. The acceleration time history analysis is widely regarded as a superior method for analysing infrastructure in seismic prone regions. However, the disadvantage is that this method can be computationally expensive depending on the size of the structure as well as the number of and length of the acceleration time histories used. The traditional approach also chooses the largest value of a parameter, i.e. shear force or bending moments, as the maximum value, which could lead to significant inaccuracies. The proposed method uses two acceleration time histories based on a minimum and maximum intensity earthquake which is obtained from the displacement profiles for a particular peak ground acceleration, which uses less acceleration time histories compared to the traditional approaches. A “picking” algorithm is also used to determine the maximum parameter magnitude thereby eliminating the possibility of choosing outlier values. This leads to the method providing a minimum and maximum parameter magnitude, leading to a parameter force band. Once the design capacity of a section is known and superimposed with the force band, it allows the design engineer to immediately visualize the robustness of a section.
 
Index Terms—PGA, acceleration time history analysis, force band, maximum force

Cite: Trevor N. Haas and Michael N. Solms, "Alternative Approach to Analysing Infrastructure Using Limited Acceleration Time History Analysis," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 144-148, May 2017. doi: 10.18178/ijscer.6.2.144-148