Performance of Existing Modernist Buildings in Barcelona

Abstract

Seismic vulnerability of a set of unreinforced masonry aggregated buildings of more than 70 years old located in Barcelona (Spain) is investigated. Four different model buildings are studied: they consist of three isolated buildings and one aggregated system, which are representative of most typical structural configurations used in the city. The aggregated building blocks are built individually without any gaps between them, thus interacting under lateral loads. The seismic hazard is described by the elastic response spectrum defined in Eurocode-8. Capacity curves are obtained using a nonlinear static analysis procedure; they are used to obtain the displacement-based fragility functions, the performance point, the probability damage matrices, and the mean damage factor, corresponding to the specified seismic action. In spite of the low-to-moderate seismic hazard in the region, the results show a high percentage of buildings having moderate and severe damage, depending on the soil type. Their brittle performance makes them seismically vulnerable. The overall behavior of the aggregate system is controlled by the fragility of the two corner buildings.