Author(s): Liang Chen, Mei Lin and Wei Zhang

Abstract: The increasing demand for high-rise reinforced concrete (reinforced concrete (RC)) structures in seismic regions has prompted the adoption of performance-based seismic design (performance-based seismic design (PBSD)) as a more reliable alternative to conventional force-based design methods. This research investigates the seismic performance of a 34-story reinforced concrete (RC) building designed per current code provisions and evaluated through nonlinear time-history analysis (nonlinear time-history analysis (NLTHA)) using a suite of seven site-specific ground motions. The structural model was developed with distributed plasticity beam-column and wall elements, incorporating advanced material constitutive relationships and deterioration models to capture realistic inelastic behavior. Peak and residual interstory drifts, plastic hinge rotations, and component-level deformation demands were analyzed across multiple performance levels—Immediate Occupancy, Life Safety, and Collapse Prevention—following the acceptance criteria outlined in the PEER Tall Building Initiative (TBI) and Los Angeles Tall Buildings Structural Design Council (LATBSDC) guidelines. The findings reveal that while the building meets global performance targets under median demands, localized drift exceedances occur near transition zones, emphasizing the limitations of purely prescriptive designs. Residual drift analysis indicates a high probability of post-earthquake functional recovery, with most stories maintaining residual deformations below 0.5%. Component rotation checks confirm that over 90% of elements satisfy Life Safety thresholds, validating the effectiveness of modern ductile detailing. Sensitivity analysis further highlights the dominant influence of hysteretic degradation and confinement modeling parameters on seismic demand variability. Overall, the study concludes that integrating nonlinear time-history analysis (NLTHA) into the performance-based seismic design (PBSD) process provides a robust framework for verifying and refining the seismic performance of tall reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. The research also recommends early adoption of nonlinear time-history analysis (NLTHA) during design development, calibrated modeling of material nonlinearities, and careful ground motion selection to improve reliability and resilience in tall building performance objectives.

Pages: 30-36 | Views: 4 | Downloads: 2

Download Full Article: Click Here