An analytical framework for seismic fragility analysis of RC high-rise buildings

Abstract

An analytical framework and sample application are presented for the seismic fragility assessment of reinforced-concrete high-rise buildings. Since no probabilistic fragility relationships exist for this class of structure, the work fills an important void in regional earthquake impact assessment. The key element of the presented framework is the methodology for the development of a simple lumped-parameter model representative of the complex high-rise building system. This model was created in the ZEUS–NL environment to enable computationally efficient dynamic response history analyses of high-rise structures that were previously not possible and that can accurately account for the complex behaviour and interactions predicted by more detailed analytical models. The parameters for this model were selected using genetic algorithms. The development of a simple lumped-parameter model is presented for an existing high-rise structure with dual core walls and a reinforced concrete frame. The accuracy of the individual components of this model is compared with the predictions of more detailed analytical models and sample fragility curves are presented. The proposed framework is generally applicable for developing fragility relationships for high-rise building structures with frames and cores or walls.