In-plane capacity of existing post-WWII beam-and-clay block floor systems

A growing attention has been paid to the deep renovation of RC buildings, particularly focusing on their structural vulnerability and on the development of retrofit strategies; however, the issue of the in-plane diaphragm action and the capacity of existing floors has rarely been addressed. Although floor capacity does not seem critical for the seismic capacity of existing structures, commonly affected by greater vulnerabilities, it may become critical when an additional lateral force resisting system is introduced. This paper investigates the in-plane capacity of beam and hollow-clay-block floor system, typical of the European post-WWII RC buildings. Considering the diaphragm action as associated with an in-plane tied-arch mechanism developing within the floor thickness, the main failure mechanisms are discussed, and some simplified equations are provided to preliminary estimate the maximum capacity of floors. Experimental and numerical analyses are than carried out to validate the simplified analytical model. The relevant influence of possible staircase openings on the in-plane load paths and on diaphragm flexibility and capacity are also considered. Finally, the influence of the floor capacity on the seismic vulnerability assessment and in the conceptual design of a seismic retrofit intervention is discussed. This preliminary study shows that only some of the beam-and-block floor systems have a reliable in-plane capacity, while other typologies cannot serve as floor diaphragms. When the diaphragm action can be relied upon, the diaphragms often exhibit a fairly stiff behaviour up to a brittle failure, which is commonly associated with the ultimate capacity at the tied-arch supports.

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