Task of Earthquake Engineering (Scientific paper – G33)

In the study by K. Kaynardag and S. Soyoz (2015), the importance of Fine Element Model (FEM) for a twenty-
six story tall building was considered. The goal of this research was to investigate the effect of identified modal
shapes, frequencies, and viscous damping on the seismic performance of tall buildings. Also to determine how
using a fine FEM can provide a good overview to estimate the uncertainties in different structural parameters such
as the effects of soil, springs, and seismic gaps which are usually omitted. Likewise, it is described how Structural
Health Monitoring (SHM) techniques are important for engineers to better understand the real dynamic
characteristics of buildings, as well as they are used for seismic risk assessments and identify the damping value.
For their research, K. Kaynardag and S. Soyoz, have used and compared nonlinear time history (NLTH) analyses
with the updated and non-updated FEM with a 5% damping ratio.
The location of the building is Istanbul which is a seismically prone area. The building's information, data
acquisition system, and system identification were observed and carefully determined in the research. Software
platform SAP 2000 v 16 (Computers and Structures Inc, 2014) was used to create the FEM of the building. The
shear walls, columns, and beams were modeled as frame elements. To validate the FEM, the fundamental
frequency of the model was compared with the one obtained from the system identification. The results showed
a low rigidity of the model, so the conclusion was that an increase in the detailing of the model was necessary. In
order to get the most accurate model by taking the horizontal soil springs assigned to the concrete wall in
consideration, they made Table 1 which shows how the fundamental frequency was increased due to the stiffness
provided by the soil strata. Observing this matter they concluded that inclusion of seismic gaps in FEM illustrates
a remarkable effect on the dynamic characteristics of the structure.

Ground motions measurements are based on the ASCE41-13 design based uniform hazard spectrum with a 2 %
identified damping ratio and to include the nonlinear behaviors of structural members in FEM, hinges were
assigned to the structural members (K. Kaynardag and S. Soyoz, 2015). The results of the models show differences
between the updated and non-updated FEM. The non-updated FEM experience higher damage than the updated
one.
The outcomes indicate that the accurate representation of modal frequencies, shapes and viscous damping ratios
in FEM’s is very crucial in seismic performance assessment of tall buildings. The use of unrealistic modal values
may lead to unsafe or conservative designs. Therefore, system identification studies are recommended to have
more reliable results of nonlinear time history analyses of tall buildings (K. Kaynardag and S. Soyoz, 2015).

Knowledge level „before“ and „after“ the scientific paper

Regarding the scientific paper which I read, some general conclusions K. Kaynardag and S. Soyoz have made in
their research, I knew even before this study. For example the importance of the FEM as well as the importance
of a detailed model, especially in the software SAP2000. New to me is the way they compared the updated and
non-updated FEM and the information they got. Also, I got a good overview of the building and its information,
the methods they used, and how they collected the data and measurements of the seismic activities. Therefore the
knowledge I acquired reading this research is KL3.