Component‐level seismic fragility database of suspended piping systems in buildings

Abstract

Nonstructural components (NSCs) contribute about 80%–90% of the construction investment in a modern public building. The post‐earthquake safety and normal operation of NSCs are necessary to achieve performance‐based design and resilient buildings. The piping system is one of the most essential nonstructural systems to preserve the post‐earthquake functionality of public buildings. To accurately evaluate the seismic performance and vulnerability of piping systems in buildings, a component‐level seismic fragility database is urgently to be developed. System composition, failure modes of piping systems, and induced consequences during previous earthquakes are introduced first in this article. Then a concise description of component‐level fragility methodology suggested by the Applied Technology Council is presented. Seismic fragility database of piping components including pipes, piping joints, and seismic braces through quasi‐static tests are developed based on the fragility analysis method. Experimental results from available literature are summarized and presented in the form of seismic fragility curves. Specific hysteretic curves of these components are also presented, which are used for the calibration of numerical models. In addition, the future research directions on the seismic fragility of piping components are summarized and prospected. The developed component‐level seismic fragility database can be used to help understand the seismic performance and post‐earthquake damage states of the piping system. Seismic performance assessment and seismic fragility analysis of modern piping systems can be conducted using the developed database and numerical simulation method.