Evaluation of Egyptian code provisions for seismic design of moment-resisting-frame multi-story buildings

Abstract

Since the occurrence of the Cairo earthquake on October 1992, the design of structures for earthquakes became a major demand enforced in the Egyptian design codes. The seismic response of building structures can be estimated through utilization of a variety of analysis methods that range from simple equivalent static analysis to complex nonlinear dynamic analysis. The traditional approach is to employ equivalent static analysis methods, while current design practice is moving toward an increased emphasis on the nonlinear analysis method. The Egyptian code provisions for building seismic design adopt the traditional approach of equivalent static load method as the main method for evaluating seismic actions and recommend the response spectrum method for nonsymmetrical buildings. This study aims to evaluate the Egyptian code provisions for the seismic design of moment-resistant frame multi-story building through using nonlinear time history analysis. The analysis procedures are evaluated for their ability to predict deformation demands in terms of inter-story drifts, potential failure mechanisms and story shear force demands. The results of the analysis of the different approaches are used to evaluate the advantages, limitations, and ease of application of each approach for seismic analysis.