Nonlinear torsional design of R/C buildings under bi-directional seismic actions.

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to characterize the earthquake behaviour of asymmetric buildings, with the purpose of assessing values of the behaviour coefficients and associated probabilities of failure. Buildings with a plan dimension of 20x15m2 and 8 storeys high are considered; their resisting elements are R/C frames and shear walls. The resistances of those elements were defined according to a given design processe and their nonlinear behaviour under earthquake actions was computed by step-by-step procedures and assessed by the maximum ductility demand defined in terms of moment curvature relations and by the probability of occurring prescribed global or local collapse mechanisms.