A Simplified Framework to Generate Fragility Functions for In-Plane Behavior of Gypsum Partition Walls

Non-structural components play a significant role in the definition of economic losses produced by seismic events. Gypsum partition walls represent a significant portion of the non-structural components and can manifest considerable damage even at low-intensity seismic events. Nonetheless, the non-structural partition walls are generally not taken into account in the context of traditional analysis and design. This is also a consequence of the lack of knowledge related to a clear definition of performance limit states, owing also to the wide range of partitions' typologies available on the market. To deal with this issue, a database collecting the results of quasi-static experimental tests was developed. The database was used to collect data useful to identify performance parameters and drift levels at which the different limit states are attained. The hysteretic curves collected in the database were used to develop a single-degree-of-freedom model for each partition typology. This paper briefly presents a general framework to calculate fragility functions for internal partitions using the data available in the experimental database. A database of floor displacement time histories evaluated by analyzing a building portfolio composed of reinforced concrete moment resisting frames was used to perform the multi-stripe analyses required to generate the fragility functions. The proposed framework is illustrated by calculating the fragility functions for one of the gypsum partition typologies collected in the experimental database.