ESSENTIAL OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC RESISTANCE

• All structural systems are not created

equal when response to earthquake-
induced forces is of concern.
• Aspects of structural configuration,
symmetry, mass distribution, and
vertical regularity must be considered,
and the importance of strength,
stiffness, and ductility in relation to
acceptable response appreciated.
• The first task of the designer will be to
select a structural system most
conducive to satisfactory seismic
performance within the constraints
dictated by architectural requirements.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 1
 ESSENTIAL OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC RESISTANCE

• Where possible, architect and structural

engineer should discuss alternative
structural configurations at the earliest
stage of concept development to
ensure that undesirable geometry is not
locked-in to the system before structural
design begins.
• Irregularities, often unavoidable,
contribute to the complexity of structural
behavior. When not recognized, they
may result in unexpected damage and
even collapse.
• There are many sources of structural
irregularities.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 2
 ESSENTIAL OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC RESISTANCE

• Drastic changes in geometry,

interruptions in load paths,
discontinuities in both strength
and stiffness, disruptions in
critical regions by openings,
unusual proportions of
members, reentrant corners,
lack of redundancy, and
interference with intended or
assumed structural
deformations are only a few of
the possibilities.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 3

 ESSENTIAL OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC RESISTANCE

• The recognition of many of

these irregularities and of
conceptions for remedial
measures for the avoidance or
mitigation of their undesired
effects rely on sound
understanding of structural
behavior.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 4

 ESSENTIAL OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC RESISTANCE

• Awareness to search for

undesired structural features
and design experience are
invaluable attributes.
• The relative importance of
some irregularities may be
quantified.
• In this respect some codes
provide limited guidance.
• Examples for estimating the
criticality of vertical and
horizontal irregularities in
framed buildings are given in
next section.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 5
 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC FORCES

• The primary purpose of all structures used

for building is to support gravity loads.
• However, buildings may also be subjected
to lateral forces due to wind or
earthquakes.
• The taller a building, the more significant
the effects of lateral forces will be.
• It is assumed here that seismic criteria
rather than wind or blast forces govern the
design for lateral resistance of buildings.
• Three types of structures, most commonly
used for buildings.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 6

 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC FORCES

• Structural Frame Systems

Structures of multistory
reinforced concrete buildings
often consist of frames.
• Beams, supporting floors, and
columns are continuous and
meet at nodes, often called
“rigid” joints.
• Such frames can readily carry
gravity loads while providing
adequate resistance to
horizontal forces, acting in any
direction.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 7

 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC FORCES

• Structural Wall System When

functional requirements permit it,
resistance to lateral forces may be
assigned entirely to structural walls,
using reinforced concrete or masonry.
• Gravity load effects on such walls are
seldom significant and they do not
control the design.
• Usually, there are also other
elements within such a building,
which are assigned to carry only
gravity loads.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 8

 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC FORCES

• Structural Wall System

• Their contribution to lateral force
resistance, if any, is often neglected.
• The special features of reinforced
masonry, particularly suited for the
construction of walls that resist both
gravity loads and lateral forces.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 9

 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC FORCES

• Dual Systems In these,

reinforced concrete frames
interacting with reinforced
concrete or masonry walls
together provide the necessary
resistance to lateral forces,
while each system carries its
appropriate share of the gravity
load. These types of structures
are variously known as dual,
hybrid, or wall-frame structures.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 10

 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC FORCES

• Dual Systems
• The selection of structural
systems for buildings is
influenced primarily by the
intended function, architectural
considerations, internal traffic
flow, height and aspect ratio,
and to a lesser extent, the
intensity of loading.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 11

 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC FORCES

• The selection of a building’s

configuration, one of the most
important aspects of the overall
design, may impose severe
limitations on the structure in its
role to provide seismic protection.
• Because the intent is to present
design concepts and principles,
rather than a set of solutions,
various alternatives within each of
these three groups of distinct
structural systems, listed above,
will not be considered.
• Some structural forms are,
however, deliberately omitted.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 12
 STRUCTURAL SYSTEM FOR SEISMIC FORCES

• For example, construction

consisting of flat slabs
supported by columns is
considered to be unsuitable on
its own to provide satisfactory
performance under seismic
actions because of excessive
lateral displacements and the
difficulty to providing the
adequate and dependable
shear transfer between columns
and slabs, necessary to sustain
lateral forces, in addition to
gravity loads.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 13
 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN ELEVATION

• The Building When subjected to lateral forces only, a

building will act as a vertical cantilever.
• The resulting total horizontal force and the overturning
moment will be transmitted at the level of the foundations.
• Once the lateral forces, such as may act at each level of the
building, are known, the story shear forces, as well as the
magnitude of overturning moments at any level, shown in
figure, can readily be derived from usual equilibrium
relationships.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 14

 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN ELEVATION

• For example, in figure ,the sum of shear of all floor forces

acting on the shaded portion of the building must be
resisted by shear and axial forces and bending moments in
the vertical elements in the third story.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 15

 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN ELEVATION

• The following terminology is used.

• All structures are assumed to be founded at the base or
level 1. The position of a floor will be identified by its level
above the base.
• Roof level is identical with the top level.
• The space or vertical distance between adjacent levels is
defined as a story. Thus the first story is between levels 1
and 2, and the top story is that below roof level.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 16

 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• Centers of Mass and

Rigidity
• Lateral force when it
displaces the diaphragm it
acts at the center of mass
while resistance offered by
the diaphragm acts
opposite to the inertial
forces and acts at Centre of
rigidity.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 17

 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• Centers of Mass and

Rigidity The structural
system may consist of a
number of frames, as
shown in figure (a) or walls,
or a combination of these.
• The position of the resultant
force Vj in the horizontal
plane will depend on the
plan distribution of vertical
elements, and it must also
be considered.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 18

 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• Center of Mass: During an

earthquake, acceleration-induced
inertia forces will be generated at
each floor level, where the mass of
an entire story may be assumed to
be concentrated.
• Hence the location of a force at a
particular level will be determined
by the center of the accelerated
mass at that level.
• In regular buildings, such as
shown in figure (d), the positions of
the centers of floor masses will
differ very little from level to level.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 19
 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• However, irregular mass

distribution over the height of
a building may result in
variations in centers of
masses, which will need to be
evaluated.
• The summation of all the floor
forces, in figure (a), above a
given story, with due
allowance for the in-plane
position of each, will then
locate the position of the
resultant force Vj within that
story.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 20
 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• For example, the

position of the shear
force within the third
story is determined by
point CV in figure (d),
where this shear force
is shown to act in the
east-west direction.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 21

 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• Depending on the direction

of an earthquake-induced
acceleration at any instant,
the force passing through
this point may act in any
direction.
• For a building of the type
shown in figure (d), it is
sufficient, however, to
consider seismic attacks
only along the two principal
axes of the plan.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 22

 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• Center of Rigidity: If, as a result

of lateral forces, one floor of the
building in figure translates
horizontally as a rigid body relative
to the floor below, as shown in
figure (a), a ‘constant inter-story
displacement Δx' will be imposed
on all frames and walls in that
story.
• Therefore, the induced forces in
these elastic frames and walls, in
the relevant east-west planes, will
be proportional to the respective
stiffness's.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 23
 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• Center of Rigidity:
The resultant total
force,Vj=Vx , induced
by the translational
displacements Δx', will
pass through the
center of rigidity (CR)
in previous figure (d).

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 24

 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• Similarly, a relative floor translation to the

north, shown as Δy' in Fig (b), will induce
corresponding forces in each of the four
frames Fig. (d), the resultant of which,
Vy, will also pass through point CR.
• This point, defined as the center of
rigidity or center of stiffness, locates the
position of a story shear force Vj which
will cause only relative floor translations.
• The position of the center of rigidity may
be different in each story.
• It is relevant to story shear forces applied
in any direction in a horizontal plane.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 25
 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• Such a force may be resolved into

components, such as Vx and Vy shown in
Fig. (a) and (b), which will cause
simultaneous story translations Δx' and
Δy', respectively.
• Since the story shear force in Fig (d) acts
through point CV rather than the center of
rigidity CR, it will cause floor rotation as
well as relative floor translation.
• For convenience, Vj may be replaced by
an equal force acting through CR, thus
inducing pure translation, and a moment
Mt = ey x Vj about CR, leading to rigid floor
rotation, as shown in Fig. (c).
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 26
 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• The angular rotation Δθ is termed story twist.

• lt will cause additional interstory
displacements Δx" and Δy” in lateral force
resisting elements in both principal
directions, x and y.
• The displacements due to story twist are
proportional to the distance of the element
from the center of rotation, [i.e., the center of
rigidity (CR)].
• Displacements due to story twist, when
combined with those resulting from floor
translations, can result in total element inter-
story displacements that may be difficult to
accommodate.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 27
 GROSS SEISMIC RESPONSE-RESPONSE IN PLAN

• For this reason the designer should

attempt to minimize the magnitude of
story torsion Mt
• This may be achieved by a deliberate
assignment of stiffness's to lateral
force-resisting components, such as
frames or walls, in such a way as to
minimize the distance between the
center of rigidity (CR) and the line of
action of the story shear force (CV).
• To achieve this in terms of floor forces,
the distance between the center of
rigidity and the center of mass should
be minimized.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 28
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE

• An aspect of seismic design of

equal ,if not greater importance
than structural analysis, is the
choice of building configuration.
• By observing the following
fundamental principles, relevant
to seismic response, more
suitable structural systems may
be adopted.
• Simple, regular plans are
preferable. Building with
articulated plans such as T and
L shapes' should be avoided or
be subdivided into simpler
forms
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 29
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE

• Symmetry in plan should be

provided where possible. Gross
lack of symmetry may lead to
significant torsional response,
the reliable prediction of which is
often difficult.
• Much greater damage due to
earthquakes has been observed
in buildings situated at street
corners, where structural
symmetry is more difficult to
achieve, than in those along
streets, where a more simple
rectangular and often
symmetrical structural plan could
be utilized.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 30
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE

• An integrated foundation system

should tie together all vertical structural
elements in both principal directions.
• Foundations resting partly on rock and
partly on soils should preferably be
avoided.
• Lateral-force-resisting systems within
one building, with significantly different
stiffness's such as structural walls and
frames, should be arranged in such a
way that at every level symmetry in
lateral stiffness is not grossly violated.
• Thereby undesirable torsional effects
will be minimized.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 31

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE

• Regularity should prevail

in elevation, in both the
geometry and the
variation of story
stiffness's.
• The principles described
above are examined in
more detail in the
following section.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 32

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-ROLE OF FLOOR DIAPHRAGM

• Simple and preferably symmetrical

building plans hold the promise of
more efficient and predictable
seismic response of each of the
Structural components.
• A prerequisite for the desirable
interaction within a building of all
lateral-force-resisting vertical
components of the structural system
is an effective and relatively rigid
interconnection of these components
at suitable levels.
• This is usually achieved with the use
of floor systems, which generally
possess large in-plane stiffness.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 33
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-ROLE OF FLOOR DIAPHRAGM

• Vertical elements will thus contribute to

the total lateral force resistance, in
proportion to their own stiffness.
• With large in-plane stiffness, floors can
act as diaphragms.
• Hence a close to linear relationship
between the horizontal displacements of
the various lateral-force-resisting vertical
structural elements will exist at every
level.
• From rigid-body translations and
rotations, shown in Fig., the relative
displacements of vertical elements can
readily be derived.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 34

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-ROLE OF FLOOR DIAPHRAGM

• Another function of a floor system,

acting as a diaphragm, is to transmit
inertia forces generated by
earthquake accelerations of the floor
mass at a given level to all horizontal-
force-resisting elements.
• At certain levels, particularly in lower
storey's, significant horizontal forces
from one element, such as a frame,
may need to be transferred to
another, usually stiffer element, such
as a wall.
• These actions may generate
significant shear forces and bending
moments within a diaphragm.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 35
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-ROLE OF FLOOR DIAPHRAGM

• In squat rectangular diaphragms, the

resulting stresses will be generally
insignificant.
• However, this may not be the case when
long or articulated floor plans, such as
shown in Fig. (a)have to be used.
• The correlation between horizontal
displacements of vertical elements Fig. (b),
will be more difficult to establish in such
eases.
• Reentrant corners, inviting stress
concentrations, may suffer premature
damage. When such configurations are
necessary, it is preferable to provide
structural separations.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 36
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-ROLE OF FLOOR DIAPHRAGM

• This may lead to a number of

simple, compact, and independent
plans, as shown in Figure.
• Gaps separating adjacent
structures must be large enough to
ensure that even during a major
seismic event, no hammer- ing of
adjacent structures will occur due
to out-of-phase relative motions of
the independent substructures.
• Inelastic deflections, resulting from
ductile dynamic response, must be
allowed.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 37

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-ROLE OF FLOOR DIAPHRAGM

• Diaphragm action may be jeopardized

if openings, necessary for vertical
traffic within a multistory building or
other purposes, significantly reduce
the ability of the diaphragm to resist in-
plane flexure of shear, as seen in
examples in Fig. (d).
• The relative importance of openings
may be estimated readily from a
simple evaluation of the flow of forces
within the diaphragm, necessary to
satisfy equilibrium criteria.
• Preferred locations for such openings
are suggested in Fig. (e).
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 38
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-ROLE OF FLOOR DIAPHRAGM

• As a general rule, diaphragms

should be designed to respond
elastically, as they are not
suitable to dissipate energy
through the formation of plastic
regions.
• Using capacity design principles,
to be examined subsequently, it
is relatively easy to estimate the
magnitudes of the largest forces
that might be introduced to
diaphragms.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 39

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• To avoid excessive displacements in

lateral-force-resisting components that
are located in adverse positions within
the building plan, torsional effects
should be minimized.
• This is achieved by reducing the
distance between the center of mass
(CM), where horizontal- seismic floor
forces are applied, and the center of
rigidity (CR).
• A number of examples for both
undesirable positioning of major lateral
force-resisting elements, consisting of
structural walls and frames, and for the
purpose of comparison, preferred
locations, are given
Seismic Design in Figure.
of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 40
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• For the sake of clarity the

positioning of frames required
solely for gravity load resistance
within each floor plan is
generally not shown.
• While the primary role of the
frames in these examples will
be the support of gravity load, it
must be appreciated that
frames will also contribute to
both lateral force resistance and
torsional stiffness.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 41

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• Figure (a) shows that

because of the location of
a still wall at the west end
of a building, very large
displacements, as a
result of floor translations
and rotations will occur at
the east end.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 42

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• As a consequence, members of
a frame located at the east end
may be subjected to excessive
inelastic deformations (ductility).
• Excessive ductility demands at
such a location may cause
significant degradation of the
stiffness of a frame. This will
lead to further shift of the center
of rigidity and consequently to
an amplification of torsional
effects.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 43

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• A much improved
solution, shown in Fig.
(b), where the service
core has been made
nonstructural and a
structural wall added at
the east end will ensure
that the centers of mass
and stiffness virtually
coincide.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 44

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• Hence only dominant floor

translations, imposing similar ductility
demands on all lateral force resisting
frames or walls, are to be expected.
• Analysis may show that in some
buildings torsional effects [Fig. (c)]
may be negligible.
• However, as a result of normal
variations in material properties and
section geometry, and also due to the
effects of torsional components of
ground motion, torsion may arise also
in theoretically perfectly symmetrical
buildings.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 45

 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• Hence codes require that allowance be

made in all buildings for so-called
“accidental” torsional effects.
• Although a reinforced concrete or
masonry core, such as shown in Fig.
(c), may exhibit good torsional
strength, its torsional stiffness,
particularly after the onset of diagonal
cracking, may be too small to prevent
excessive deformations at the east
and west ends of the building.
• Similar twists may lead, however, to
acceptable displacements at the
perimeter of square plans with
relatively large cores, seen in Fig. (d).
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 46
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• Closely placed columns,

interconnected by relatively stiff beams
around the perimeter of such build-
ings. [Fig. (e)], can provide excellent
control of torsional response.
• The eccentrically placed service core,
shown in Fig. ( f ), may lead to
excessive torsional effects under
seismic attack in the east-west
direction unless perimeter lateral force
resisting elements are present to limit
torsional displacements.
• The advantages of the arrangement,
shown in Fig. (g), in terms of response
to horizontal forces are obvious.
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 47
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• While the locations of the walls in Fig.

(h), to resist lateral forces, it satisfactory,
the large eccentricity of the center of
mass with respect to the center of rigidity
will result in large torsion when lateral
forces are applied in the north-south
direction.
• The placing of at least one stiff element
at or close to each of the four sides of
the buildings, as shown in Fig. (i),
provides a particularly desirable
structural arrangement.
• Further examples, showing wall
arrangements with large eccentricities
and preferred alternative solutions, are
given in Fig.
Seismic ( j) of
Design toStructures
(m). by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 48
 INFLUENCE OF BUILDING CONFIGURATGION ON SEISMIC
RESPONSE-TORSIONAL EFFECTS

• Although large eccentricities are

indicated in the examples of Fig. (
j) and (k), both stiffness and the
strength of these walls may well be
adequate to accommodate
torsional effects.
• The examples apply to structures
where walls provide the primary
lateral load resistance.
• The principles also apply to framed
systems, although it is less
common for excessive torsional
effects to develop in frame
structures.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 49

 Assignment-No.4

• Go through with the construction guidelines given in Earthquake

Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and write a
short report considering different type of construction activities in
various type of structures built with bricks, concrete, wood etc for
safe performance during earthquake activity. Re-habilitation for
common problems can also be addressed in the report.
• The report must be supported by figures and for each activity the
steps must be mentioned clearly. It should be easily understandable
even for a layman (non-expert).
• The construction guidelines are downloadable from ERRA website.
• A best report can only result, once you will go through with the
construction guidelines in detail and then prepare report after making
suitable strategy.
• Best Report will get additional five(05) marks in sessional.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 50

 CASE HISTORY-BUILDING A

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 51

 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• Building A, shown in Figures 3-44 and

3-45, was located at the eastern
outskirts of Golcuk (Turkey). Much of
the first story of this moment-frame
building (not seen in Figure 3-44) was
located below grade.
• The grade level sloped down from the
front to the back PM of the building. A
sketch of the first-floor plan of the
building is shown in Figure 3-46.
• Most of the hollow clay tile infill
masonry failed during the earthquake
but some remained intact at the rear of
the building in the sixth story (see
Figure 3-45).
Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 52
 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

Component Failures
• Structural damage was
concentrated in the first-story
columns at the front of the
building Figure 3-47) and
around the stairwell at the rear
of the building (Figure 3-48).
• Non ductile detailing was
evident in each damaged
component viewed by the
reconnaissance team.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 53

 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• The staircases in the rear

stairwell were cast integrally
with the exterior columns. The
landings were located
approximately 1 m below the
beam-column joints (Figure 3-
48).
• No transverse reinforcement
was present in these joints.
The lateral support provided
by the landings and the
staircases resulted in short
column construction and led
to shear failures immediately
above the
Seismic landings.
Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 54
 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• Figure 3-48 shows severe

damage to the staircases that
suggests that the staircases
resisted significant lateral
forces during the earthquake
via strut action.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 55

 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• The lateral stiffness of the staircases is evinced by the damage they

suffered but likely was not included in the earthquake analysis of
the building (which is also common practice in the United States).

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 56

 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• The distribution of damage to

columns in the first story is shown in
Figure 3-46. Figures 3-49, 3-50, and
3-51 show column failures.
• Non-ductile detailing is evident,
including widely spaced perimeter
transverse ties with 90° hooks and
no cross ties, and lap splices located
at the floor level with no confining
transverse reinforcement.

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

System Response
• A comprehensive performance-based
evaluation methodology should be
able to predict distributions of damage
similar to that identified above
assuming an accurate
characterization of earthquake
shaking.
• The performance of Building A brings
into question the procedures currently
adopted in the United States for
system evaluation for the performance
level of collapse prevention.

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• (In this report, “collapse” is

defined in terms of the failure of
the gravity load-resisting system.)
• As shown in Figures 3-46 and 3-
47, the first and third rows of
columns were badly damaged but
the second row of columns
suffered no significant damage.
All columns in the first three rows
were the same size; rebar in the
first and third rows of columns
were essentially identical.

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• If the interior columns in the first row

failed initially, conventional
approaches would suggest that lateral
forces were redistributed to other stiff
components (including the second row
of columns) and gravity loads were
transferred to the undamaged columns
in the first and second rows.
• The increase in the gravity and
earthquake effects should have been
greater on the second-row columns
than on the third-row columns, yet the
columns in the third row failed and the
columns in the second row were
undamaged.
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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• New knowledge regarding the transfer of lateral loads and

gravity from failed components to other components of a
building frame is needed to obtain accurate estimates of
building performance.
• Although several columns in the first story of the building
failed in shear and axial compression, the building did not
collapse.
• Clearly system response cannot be judged on the basis of
the most highly loaded (forces or deformations) component
in the building, as is the practice in FEMA 273, NEHRP
Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings (FEMA
1997).

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• The gravity load resisting system of the building did not

collapse for a number of reasons that include
(a)frame action in the stories above the damaged columns
and
(b) residual axial-load capacity in the heavily damaged
columns.
• After the columns in the first row failed in shear and
shortened, the slab and beam framing deflected in the
shape of a catenary (see the sag in the floor slabs in
Figure 3-44) and gravity loads were carried to the
adjacent undamaged columns by axial tension in the
beams and slabs.

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• Vierendeel truss action in the upper stories also likely

transferred gravity loads to adjacent undamaged columns.
• Provision for such redundancy in framing systems would
reduce the likelihood of building collapse and substantially
uncouple system-level response from component-level
response.
• The catenary and Vierendeel truss mechanisms may be
very effective in stabilizing the structure when interior
columns are lost. To ensure that beams and slabs are able
to maintain catenary deflections, bottom reinforcement
should be continuous through any columns that may fail
under lateral loads.

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• Recent studies (Moehle et al. 2000) have shown that

columns heavily damaged in shear are still capable of
supporting axial loads.
• Residual axial strength in these columns would reduce the
need to redistribute gravity loads as described in the
previous paragraph. The failed columns in the first row were
squat so that after failure in shear, the upper segments of
the columns bore on the lower segments, albeit not
concentrically. (Contrast this behavior with that described
earlier for narrow columns; see Figure 3-32).

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• The core concrete in the failed columns in the third row

continued to carry gravity loads after the earthquake
because the cores of the columns remained partially intact.
• The use of transverse reinforcement in the amount needed
to keep the core of a column intact at large deformation
would further reduce the likelihood of building collapse.

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 65

 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

BACK

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

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 CASE HISTROY-BUILDING A

• The Vierendeel truss/girder is characterized

by having only vertical members between the
top and bottom chords and is a statically
indeterminate structure.
• Hence, bending, shear and axial capacity of
these members contribute to the resistance
to external loads.
• The use of this girder enables the footbridge
to span larger distances and present an
attractive outlook. However, it suffers from
the drawback that the distribution of stresses
is more complicated than normal truss
structures

Seismic Design of Structures by Dr. M. Burhan Sharif 68