Seismic Retrofit Assessment of a School Building through Operational Modal Analysis and f.e. Modeling

The paper deals with the dynamic characterization of a reinforced concrete (RC) frame school building in central Italy before and after the seismic retrofitting, obtained by coupling the building with an innovative patented seismic dissipative protection system. Before the retrofit, ambient vibration tests were performed to evaluate frequencies and mode shapes for developing finite-element (f.e.) models describing the school dynamic behavior in operational conditions. Several finite-element models with increasing level of detail are presented, from the bare frame model, based on the assumptions and simplifications usually adopted for design purposes, to an upgraded model taking account of secondary and nonstructural elements (e.g., internal and external walls, screeds, roofing, floor tiles, and plasters) as well as the interaction between structure and retaining walls. The latter was used to develop the design model of the seismic retrofitting system, which aims to assure the immediate occupancy of the building in the case of severe earthquakes limiting damage to nonstructural components. Tests were repeated after the retrofit to check consistency with numerical design predictions. Comparisons between experimental and numerical modal parameters are shown discussing the usefulness of ambient vibration tests.