A Case Study on Structural Failure of Reinforced Concrete Beam-Column Joint After the First Significant Earthquake Impact in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper presents a case study regarding failures of structural buildings which occurred in Malaysia after the first significant earthquake event dated on June 5, 2015. Ranau is a locality situated in Sabah, Malaysia on the island of Borneo. The seismic activity was triggered when an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 afflicted Ranau, including seven other districts that also felt the tremors. Even though the impact of magnitude was undisputedly not high, the severity level of damages was found to be absolute (irreparable) in the structural RC beam-column joints and soft-storey buildings. Most of the buildings in Malaysia were built without the consideration of seismic design, and thus a major factor in structural failure. The earthquake has directed the seismic demand, while the total displacement was concentrated at the weakest floor that caused more damage to the building. This paper shows the causes of beam-column joint damages and explains the proposed (to-date) strengthening methods. Future studies related to seismic activities are in need to analyse the performance of the existing design of structural RC members and propose seismic design in Malaysia.

Seismic building design work process using building information modeling (BIM) technology for Malaysian Government projects

“…Soft stories, mass irregularities, floating columns, poor material quality, poor quality of workmanship, wrong structural system, pounding of adjacent structures, soil and foundation impact and inadequate ductile detailing in structural components are the main causes of damage to buildings (Agarwal and Shrikhande, 2011; Damci et al , 2015; Fardis et al , 2015; Ganasan et al , 2020; Khoiry et al , 2018; Yon et al , 2017). These factors can induce structural joint failure, cracks in structural and non-structural members, partial collapse and the worst-case scenario is possible to total collapse.…”

“…The frequent occurrence of earthquakes in low seismic zones has prompted researchers worldwide, including Malaysia, to investigate seismic hazards in low seismic zones. Taking Australia as an example, formerly classified as an earthquake-free zone, the region was badly hit by the sudden first earthquake in 1989 with a moderate magnitude of 5.5 that claimed lives, damaged 50,000 buildings and demolished 300 buildings (Ganasan et al , 2020). The 2015 earthquake in Sabah shows some resemblance to the earthquake that occurred in Australia.…”

“…Although Malaysia is categorized under the low to moderate seismicity region, the possibility of the earthquake should not be ignored because Malaysia is surrounded by highly seismically active bays (Awaludin and Adnan, 2016). The soft soil condition caused the buildings can often be exposed to far-field earthquakes (Ganasan et al , 2020). The communities began to worry for their safety as residents felt tremors from neighboring countries, and local ground shaking, especially those living in the high-rise buildings (Tongkul, 2021).…”

“…Previously, seismic designs were not practiced because Malaysia has never experienced critical earthquakes (Ismail et al , 2011; Ramli et al , 2017). As a result, most public buildings in Malaysia have been designed as conventional based on British Standard 8110:1997 in which specific seismic provisions may not be available (Ganasan et al , 2020; Loi et al , 2018). Therefore, the case of Ranau, Sabah has been a turning point to strengthen seismic risk reduction in Malaysia.…”

Seismic Vulnerability Assessment in Ranau, Sabah, Using Two Different Models

“…Effects from seismic activities from south Indonesia are higher due to the Sunda plate [5,[108][109][110]. Since 1973, multiple earthquakes between magnitude 7.5 to 9.0 have occurred in the tectonic Sunda Plate boundaries that were induced by the Sunda Trench and Manila Trench on the Sunda Plate boundary and by the Molucca Sea, Banda Sea, Timor and Bird's Head plates in the southeast [4,111]. In short, Sabah is 'sitting' on the movement of the major plates.…”