Bulletin of Earthquake Science and Engineering

Bulletin of Earthquake Science and Engineering

Investigating the Effect of Near-fault Excitations on The Seismic Performance of Tall RC SMRF Structures Equipped with BRBs based on The 2800 Standard

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Ali Zarif Moghadam Basefat 1
Hossein Pahlavan 2
Mohammad Shamekhi Amiri 2
Jalil Shafaei 3
1 Ph.D. Candidate, Civil Department, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
2 Assistant professor, Civil Department, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
3 Associate professor, Civil Department, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran
10.48303/bese.2024.2033212.1181
Abstract
Many high-rise buildings have been constructed near fault lines around the world, and some have suffered significant human and economic losses during strong seismic events. Given the growing trend of high-rise construction in Iran, it needs to see about how the behaviour of tall buildings that are equipped with buckling-restrained braces is in an earthquake event. To this purpose, it is necessary to obtain such behaviours in different branches of seismic excitations, near-field, long-period, multiple earthquake, etc., then compare them with the ordinary seismic events. This study evaluates the effect of near-fault ground motions on the seismic performance of tall reinforced concrete buildings with special moment-resisting frame systems equipped with buckling-restrained braces (BRBs), using the acceptance criteria defined in the Iranian Standard 2800. To this end, structural models were first fully designed using ETABS software, in accordance with the Iranian National Building Regulations and the seismic provisions outlined in Standard 2800. Subsequently, the nonlinear behavior of 3D models of 12-, 16-, and 20-story frames was developed in detail and then analyzed using nonlinear analysis methods in OpenSees software based on nonlinear faber-based elements and needed material and geometric nonlinearities, based on the criteria specified in Appendix 2 of Standard 2800.
The seismic responses of structural elements were evaluated separately under nonlinear static and nonlinear time-history analyses at the design-level earthquake intensity. Although this type of seismic record has more effect on low-rise structures than tall ones, the tallest model of the study is the most vulnerable model, because of the components of near-field excitations as pulse-like motives, forward directivity, and vertical earthquake components. Thus, the 20-story model exhibited the highest vulnerability under near-fault ground motions.
Furthermore, seismic performance variations due to near-fault excitations ranged from approximately 2% to 18%, depending on the specific earthquake and structural configuration. Based on the acceptance criteria in Appendix 2 of Standard 2800, the application of this structural system is validated in terms of both strength and deformation requirements. It is of utmost importance that this acceptance criterion that had been achieved in this study is just to satisfy the performance objective of the 2800 seismic standard, which is limited life safety. In fact, it needs to perform such investigations for each seismic code and see whether the performance level of the code is satisfied. However, the performance level of the structures should be constant. In addition, BRB-equipped frames develop a wider stable post-elastic capacity with greater energy dissipation, without strength or stiffness degradation up to 125% of target displacement. Base shear at first plastic hinging is ~17% higher than in the unbraced frame; resisting force at peak roof displacement rises by 13%, 11%, and 8% for the 12-, 16-, and 20-story models. BRBs delay inelastic onset and OP/IO/LS/CP exceedance and allow 10% larger roof displacement. Nonlinear story drifts remain within limits and below 2%, even at 1.2 intensity. A probabilistic assessment and the derived R-factor validate constructability; given lower weight than shear-wall alternatives, BRB-SMRFs are recommended for near-fault regions.
Keywords
High-rise structures
Acceptance criteria
Buckling restrained brace
Near-fault earthquake

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 01 July 2024
  • Revise Date 13 July 2024
  • Accept Date 17 August 2024