Seismic Analysis Methods for Irregular Buildings

Abstract

A combined experimental and analytical study is made of the response to strong base motions of reinforced concrete structures having irregular vertical configurations. In the study, two frame‐wall structures are constructed at small scale and subjected to earthquake simulations on a shaking table. Measured responses of the structures are compared with responses computed by several conventional analysis methods. The methods include inelastic dynamic response history analysis, inelastic static analysis, elastic modal spectral analysis, and elastic static analysis. Based on the data presented, it is concluded that the main advantage of the dynamic methods was that they were capable of estimating maximum displacement responses, whereas the static methods cannot be used for this purpose. In all other regards, the dynamic methods offered no clear advantage over the corresponding static method. The inelastic static and dynamic methods were superior to the elastic methods in interpreting effects of the structural discontinuities.