SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF THE IRREGULAR FIRE STATION BUILDING OF L'AQUILA

Following the seismic sequence that struck the city of L'Aquila in April 2009, the Fire Station of the city, after the inspection of the technicians, was declared unfit for use. From subsequent investigations of the structure, it proved to be seismically inadequate and it was decided for its demolition and reconstruction with a significant planimetric redeployment. In the initial phase of the work, it was carried out a study of the layout plans and of the loads imposed on the floors. As a result of this investigation, it was decided to propose, as a structural solution for the fire headquarter complex, a framed steel structure. The structure has been analyzed using a finite element software with both linear and non-linear analysis. The possible structural solution is achieved in accordance with the Eurocodes and, only with respect to the base isolated building, according to the Italian standard called "Nuove Norme Tecniche delle Costruzioni". To meet the structural verifications required by design standards for the main building of the complex, it was necessary to adopt a base isolation system. Among the various solutions analyzed, the best was found to be that composed of elastomeric isolators and multidirectional support. It was considered appropriate to use a fixed base for the other two structures of the complex.