Comparison between non-linear dynamic analysis performed according to EC8 and elastic and non-linear static analyses

Abstract

The paper deals with the topic of analyses performed according to modern code provisions, in particular Eurocode 8 (EC8) rules. Elastic, non-linear static and non-linear dynamic analyses of a multi-storey r/c frame building designed according to Eurocode 2 (EC2) and EC8 provisions are carried out. The beam–column hierarchy of resistance rules are applied both according to the old (1994) and the new (2003) version of EC8: the large differences are discussed. The results of two different computer programs are compared, SAP2000 and CANNY99. A suite of 7 earthquakes (each with both the horizontal components), fully satisfying the EC8 provisions, are used as input of non-linear dynamic analyses. The results show that the 3 methods of analyses provided by EC8 for new buildings respect a correct hierarchy in terms of safety, i.e. the simpler the analysis is the safer is the result returned: the building designed according to elastic analyses is verified by both non-linear static and dynamic analyses and displacements and total chord rotations demanded by non-linear static methodology are larger than those demanded by non-linear dynamic one.