Earthquake-induced energy response of reinforced concrete dual-system tall buildings

Abstract

The distribution of earthquake-induced energy in a 42-storey reinforced concrete dual-system building at three ground shaking intensities was investigated. The earthquake-induced energy response of the building was obtained in terms of elastic energy (kinetic energy and strain energy) and inelastic energy (hysteretic energy and structural damping energy) components for each structural member. Hysteretic energy is an indicator of inelastic deformations (i.e. potential damage) and is considered particularly important as it leads to high irrecoverable energy demands in a building and identifies critical members that require higher energy absorption capacity. The ratio of hysteretic energy to input energy was assessed among different structural members as well as along the building height. The results showed that the hysteretic energy constituted less than 10% of the total input energy and was mostly dissipated in the frame members for low-intensity events, whereas 75% of the input energy was dissipated in the hysteretic mechanism, prominently by the beams. In terms of hysteretic energy demands, the critical floor levels were found to be the 12th and 26th floors. The findings of this research will help engineers obtain a reasonable estimate of the expected hysteretic energy demand once the input energy is known.