Estudio del comportamiento post-sismo de elementos y conexiones en estructuras con irregularidad en elevación en la Universidad Técnica de Machala

Abstract

This thesis addresses the study of the post-seismic behavior of structural elements and connections in buildings with elevation irregularities, taking as its object of study a representative building located at the Technical University of Machala. This research is framed within the context of high seismicity that characterizes the area, which requires a rigorous evaluation of the seismic performance of existing construction, especially those that do not optimally comply with the geometric regularity criteria established in earthquake-resistant design regulations. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the structural performance of a building under seismic loads, identifying the areas of greatest vulnerability, in order to propose technical measures to optimize its behavior in future seismic events. To this end, a methodology was applied that includes a specialized literature review, a physical survey of the building through on-site visits, and the development of a three-dimensional model with real dimensions using structural analysis software. Simulations were carried out considering different gravitational and seismic load scenarios, applying both static and dynamic spectral analysis. Based on these results, the effects of irregularities on the structural response were interpreted, especially in areas where vertical geometric discontinuity occurs, which are critical areas for the stability of the system. The current state of the building was also diagnosed following a recent significant earthquake in the region.