Earthquake Engineering Research - HKU Libraries - The University ...

Although according to the Chinese seismic code (GB50011-2001), tall buildings need to be designed by
time history analysis, probably using nonlinear finite element programs. However, there is a need to
estimate the seismic risk of those existing tall buildings in Hong Kong. We cannot conduct, both
financially and practically, numerical analysis for all existing tall buildings. Thus, simplified but reliable
method should be used to estimate the potential damages and risks of existing buildings.
Shaking Table Test at IEM
Since the seismic hazard in Hong Kong has traditionally been considered to be low, reinforced
concrete structures in Hong Kong have been designed with no seismic provisions. This has led to the
extensive use of transfer systems in the high-rise buildings in order to achieve maximum open space at
the lower stories. However, the transfer systems could be vulnerable to possible moderate earthquake
attack due to the formation of soft stories under the transfer. In a recent joint research study by the
Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Institute of Engineering Mechanics ("IEM"), State
Seismology Bureau in Harbin, a 1:20 scale high-rise building was tested in the shaking table. In view
of the uncertainty of the seismic behaviour of typical tall buildings in Hong Kong, the results of the
test is very useful to investigate the vulnerability of Hong Kong buildings.
Figure 11. Shaking table test for a typical tall building in Hong Kong at IEM.
DAMAGE ANALYSIS FOR SOME BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG
Seismic risk and damage analyses were conducted preliminary for Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) East and
Wanchai as shown in Fig. 12. Over 1,400 buildings were classified into 10 building categories, and a
total of 13 different buildings have been selected for vulnerability analyses.