Fragility functions and seismic performance of peruvian thin RC wall buildings

In this study, an analytical approach was adopted to construct fragility functions for mid-rise Peruvian buildings with thin RC walls. Thin RC walls are the main structural components that support vertical and lateral loads. This structural system is typically used in Lima, Peru since 1998. The main characteristics of these structural components are the use of electro-welded wire mesh as main reinforcement instead of conventional bars and its thin thickness. The geometrical model of mid-rise building was constructed based on the result of statistical analysis of real buildings. The numerical model was defined based on the results of experiments. A series of nonlinear dynamic response analyses was performed using ground motion records during the 2010 Maule, Chile earthquake. The damage ratios were estimated with respect to four damage states, and the fragility functions were obtained assuming that the damage ratios follow lognormal distributions. Finally, a weighted mean damage state was estimated to evaluate the performance of the structures. The results show that the use of electrowelded wire mesh is acceptable in terms of seismic performance because the buildings will perform appropriately according to the Peruvian seismic design standard.