Seismosoft | Earthquake Engineering Solutions

Hi,
I'm a italian engeneering student and I'm using your software to analyse
the seismic behaviour of an existing building built in the '60..

The builiding presents L-shaped concrete sections with re-bars on the side
frames and I don't know how to obtain it.

I tried with agss section, I can obtain the perfect shape but this type of
section doesn't allow me to insert reinforcement
bars..how can I manage it?

Hi Matteo,

In my opinion, the easiest way to solve your problem is to define 2 reinforced concrete rectangular section (rcrs) for each "arm" of your L shape section with the corresponding reinforcement.
Then, in order to make the 2 sections behave as 1, you just need to define a "rigid link" (with all DOF restrained) in the "nodal constraints" section, that link the 2 edges of the 2 elements.

Cheers,
Romain

Matteo, hi.

Romain's suggestion is a valid one, but we wonder if the explicit modelling of the L-shaped section is really necessary?

We suspect that, within the framework of assessing the seismic vulnerability of an existing building, such type of section detailing has a relatively minor impact in the final outcome, and would rather suggest you to use a rectangular or T-section with similar characteristics.

Of course, you can always run a sensitivity study, employing both modelling approaches, and check if the more complex one is really justified.

Seismosoft Support

thanks for both your answers,
I'll discuss with my professor about which strategy to choose.
Thank you again.

Matteo,

The upcoming release of SeismoStruct, due at the end of March-beginning of April, will feature the possibility of explicitly defining L-Shaped sections.

Seismosoft Support