Response Evaluation of PC/RC Pipe-Rack Structure under Strong Seismic Events.

In seismic prone region the seismic risk quantification of the piping systems and its supporting infrastructure is mandatory to control the damage and minimize the loss of life. Some of the petrochemical plants of Pakistan are established during 1960's-1970's and designed for gravity loads only. The primary objectives of the current study are to investigate the as-built condition of RC pipe-rack system, perform a seismic analysis to determine structure response to seismic forces, identify the venerable points and propose the retrofitting strategy accordingly. To this end, five prototype frames are selected, linear static and nonlinear static (pushover) analysis have been performed to evaluate the structure response at global and local levels. Nonlinear two-dimension analysis (N2) method was employed to calculate the target displacement and engineering demand parameters at performance point. Results illustrated that the prototype frames are vulnerable at several location evidence from the global and local levels assessment. These frames require significant intervention or retrofitting to withstand seismic loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]