Displacement-based seismic design with damage control of asymmetric buildings

Abstract

This paper presents a procedure for the displacement-based seismic design of in-plan asymmetric buildings with earthquake-induced damage control. Damage is defined on the structural elements in the in-plan and elevation layout of the structure. The proposed method is based on the concepts of the performance-based seismic design philosophy and the application of basic equations of structural dynamics that are regularly used for the current design of buildings. In its application, the simultaneous bidirectional seismic demand is characterized by smooth design spectrum as proposed by most current regulations. To illustrate the steps required in the application of the design method proposed, the paper presents the design process of a 15- and 12-story buildings with in-plan asymmetric distribution of stiffnesses and subjected to a design demand given by the spectrum a real seismic event representative of soft soil sites such as those of the bed-lake of Mexico City. The results obtained are compared with the corresponding results of the nonlinear dynamic step-by-step analyses under the same seismic demand. Based on the results obtained, the relevance of this procedure in the displacement-based seismic design of asymmetric buildings and the implications for its consideration in future regulations are discussed.

Graphical Abstract