Performance-based multi-hazard engineering (PB-MH-E): The case of steel buildings under earthquake and wind

Abstract

Focusing on natural hazards as wind and earthquake, the goal of this work is to understand if interference occurs in the design choices for steel buildings of a certain height, thus determining which design requirement and hazard is predominant, between Ultimate Limit State (ULS) requirements under earthquakes, or comfort of the occupants and the Serviceability Limit State (SLS) of the structure under wind. Thus, in order to compare structural responses, both in linear (i.e., SLSs) and non-linear field (i.e., ULS) a simplified analysis procedure that could be also implemented in Standards and in design practice (so-called SAC-FEMA method, originally introduced in the seismic field by Cornell in the early 2000s and more recently extended to the wind) is adapted, leading to a true optimal Performance-Based Multi-Hazard Design (PB-MH-D) of the structure considering the two hazards. The procedure is applied to two case-study steel buildings, 17 and 60 floor heigh; the approach is shown to efficiently lead to a design solution who consistently tackles with the same level of reliability with the two hazards.