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Civil-Comp Proceedings
ISSN 1759-3433
CCP: 96
PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRTEENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CIVIL, STRUCTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING COMPUTING
Edited by: B.H.V. Topping and Y. Tsompanakis
Paper 173

Multi-Criteria Decision Methods for Structural Modification Interventions: Vertical Addition and Seismic Retrofitting

A. Formisano, T. De Lucia and F.M. Mazzolani

Department of Structural Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy

Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper
A. Formisano, T. De Lucia, F.M. Mazzolani, "Multi-Criteria Decision Methods for Structural Modification Interventions: Vertical Addition and Seismic Retrofitting", in B.H.V. Topping, Y. Tsompanakis, (Editors), "Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing", Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, Paper 173, 2011. doi:10.4203/ccp.96.173
Keywords: multi-criteria decision making methods, existing buildings, vertical addition, seismic retrofitting, experimental tests, finite element analysis.

Summary
In recent years the construction market in Italy has focused attention on the restoration of existing buildings rather than on new constructions. This activity has been dictated from the necessity to upgrade buildings either designed to withstand vertical loads only or subjected to a new seismic classification or a change of use, therefore having new seismic requirements.

Common intervention techniques modifying the performance level of an existing building are aimed at its retrofitting or vertical addition, which are made either to provide resistance under earthquakes, when a seismic designed is not performed, or to increase its seismic resistance, respectively.

In the current paper the problem of structural modification interventions of existing masonry and einforced concrete buildings has been examined with reference to two case studies. In both structural modification applications, the best solution for retrofitting and vertical addition purposes has been evaluated by applying three different multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods (Topsis [1], Electre [2] and Vikor [3]).

The first intervention has been studied on the basis of the results of an experimental study performed on a real full-scale three-dimensional reinforced-concrete structure retrofitted with different anti-seismic devices based on metal materials [4]. All the assessment methods applied have provided the same result, that is the dominating role exerted by aluminium shear panels for seismic retrofitting of the structure analysed.

On the other hand, different innovative and traditional constructive systems are used to increase the number of floors of existing buildings. The effectiveness of these interventions in improving the basic building behaviour has been proved with a masonry building typical of the urban development of a generic Italian town [5]. The results of this study, achieved by using the same three methods examined for establishing the optimum seismic retrofitting technique of the existing reinforced-concrete structure, have provided as a best solution the systems made by cold-formed steel as a result the basic properties, such as lightness, economy and sustainability.

References
1
C.L. Hwang, K. Yoon, "Multiple Attribute Decision Making", Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, 186, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1981.
2
B. Roy, "How outranking relation helps multiple criteria decision making", Multiple Criteria Decision Making, Actes du Séminaire "Théorie de la Décision", Beaulieu-Sainte-Assise, France, 1973.
3
S. Opricovic, "Multicriteria Optimization of Civil Engineering Systems", Faculty of Civil Engineering, Belgrado, Serbia, 1998.
4
F.M. Mazzolani, (Editor), "Seismic upgrading of RC buildings by advanced techniques - The ILVA-IDEM Research Project", Polimetrica Publisher, Monza, 2006.
5
G. Di Lorenzo, A. Formisano, R. Landolfo, F.M. Mazzolani, G. Terracciano, "On the use of cold-formed thin walled members for vertical addition of existing masonry buildings", Proc. of the SDSS' Rio 2010 International Colloquium Stability and Ductility of Steel Structures, E. Batista, P. Vellasco, L. de Lima, (Editors), Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 8-10 September 2010, 945-952, 2010.

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