Impact of Code Requirements in the Central United States: Seismic Performance Assessment of a Reinforced Concrete Building

Abstract

The close proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the significant population and infrastructure presents a need to evaluate the seismic provisions in building codes adopted in Memphis, Tenn., and other central U.S. cities. This investigation identifies potential deficiencies for a typical four-story reinforced concrete (RC) frame building designed to current code requirements in the central United States. The structure was designed for three sets of seismic provisions: the 2003 International Building Code (IBC), the 2003 IBC with local Memphis amendments, and the 1999 Standard Building Code (SBC). Special seismic detailing was required for the IBC and SBC designs, whereas the amended IBC design required only intermediate seismic detailing. The nonlinear structural analysis for two earthquake recurrence intervals (10 and 2% in