Performance based seismic analysis of RC structural system under earthquake excitation

Abstract

The most common cause of moment resistant framed constructions failing after an earthquake is soft storey collapse. This work uses performance-based seismic analysis to investigate the building's inelastic seismic response when subjected to earthquake ground motions, as well as to minimize the limitations of the traditional force-based technique. An eight-storey reinforced concrete building located in various seismic zones, situated on various soil types, and containing a masonry infill wall is evaluated using performance-based analysis. Models of plastic hinges are developed to determine the desired performance levels under seismic excitations, with an emphasis on the inelastic response of the buildings considered in this study. Pushover analysis is used to evaluate the seismic performance of building models with varying soft storeys. The performance point is calculated using FEMA 440 equivalent linearization and American society of civil engineers (ASCE) 41-13. The use of nonlinear time history analyses for some prominent earthquakes is also part of the performance-based seismic evaluation. The article illustrates how an increase in soft storey can change the seismic response of a building by reducing vertical rigidity. According to the obtained results, initial hinges are formed at lower-level columns and cross the collapse prevention (CP) level in later steps even before hinges are formed at upper level. As compared to the capacity spectrum method (CSM), displacement coefficient method (DCM) yielded lower seismic response results. Performance based seismic evaluation is compatible with time history analysis.