Seismic performance and numerical modelling of existing large precast industrial buildings not designed for earthquake resistance

Many of the most industrialised areas spread over the Italian territory were declared seismically active since less than 20 years, meaning that a consistent part of the industrial built heritage of the Italian territory, consisting in the large majority in precast concrete structures, is a current potential source of seismic risk, also due to the peculiarities of the seismic behaviour of such structures, not seldom characterised by non-seismic conception of cladding panel connections, weak connections of horizontal members, and lack of diaphragmatic action. While recent research aimed at quantifying the seismic risk associated with these existing structures focused on rather small buildings, this paper investigates the seismic performance of existing large industrial buildings, by analysing a prototypal frame structure of 7500 m2 with 25x20 m column grid and clear height below the beams of 11 m. Non-linear time history analysis was carried out on an structural model including all members and connections of frame structure and cladding panels, highlighting the seismic performance of the structure under increasing level of hazard.