Aseismic strengthening techniques of Chinese typical stele relics:A case study of Xi’an Beilin

In order to improve the seismic performance of Chinese traditional stele relics, a suitable aseismic strengthening method of Chinese traditional stele relics is proposed. Taking the typical stele relic in Xi’an Beilin as an example, the on-site investigations were carried out to obtain the actual geometric size and damage state of the stele relic. Then, the structural performance of the stele relic was analyzed by the finite element software ANSYS. Finally, the two different aseismic strengthening methods of the traditional stele relic are proposed and comparatively analyzed. The results show that in addition to the common problems, such as weathering, and cracks, etc, earthquakes seriously threaten the structural safety of stele relics. Under the rarely-occurring earthquake of eight degree, the unstrengthened stele relic will be overturned, and many cracks will occur at the connection area of stele body and stele pedestal. When the stele relic is strengthened by the stainless angle steel strengthening method, the stele relic will not be overturned, but some cracks will occur at the connection area of stele body and stele pedestal. When the stele relic is strengthened by the base isolation strengthening method, the stele relic will not be overturned, and no cracks will occur at the connection area of stele body and stele pedestal. Therefore, the aseismic strengthening effect of the base isolation strengthening method is obviously better than that of the stainless angle steel strengthening method, and this method is a suitable aseismic strengthening method of Chinese traditional stele relics.