Seismic Performance Evaluation of Code-compliant RC Moment-resisting Frame Buildings Subjected to Near-fault Pulse-like and Non-pulse-like Ground Motions

Abstract

ABSTRACT The close proximity of some populated cities all over the world to the active faults shows the necessity to investigate the consequences of the prominent characteristics of near-fault pulse-like ground motions (i.e., the forward directivity and fling-step) on the seismic performance of the code-compliant multi-story buildings. This paper attempts to quantify the effects of pulse-like near-fault ground motions on the seismic responses of reinforced concrete (RC) moment-resisting frame (MRF) buildings and to compare the results with those induced by non-pulse-like ground motions. For this purpose, three archetype buildings with 3-, 9-, and 18-story heights were designed in accordance with the provisions of ASCE 7–10 and were subjected to 48 ground motions in four sets including the forward-directivity, fling-step, non-pulse near-fault, and far-fault records. The results demonstrate that the contribution of higher modes to the seismic responses is more predominant in the non-pulse-like ground motions than their pulse-like counterparts. Moreover, the maximum seismic demands imposed by the pulse-like ground motions are higher than those for the non-pulse-like motions. A detailed assessment of the seismic performance of the RC buildings based on Tier 3 systematic evaluation of the ASCE 41–17 standard is another objective of this study. Findings from this evaluation reveal that the 3-story frame fails to meet the acceptance criteria under the pulse-like ground motions, whereas both the 9- and 18-story frames satisfy the performance criteria of ASCE 41–17 for both the pulse-like and non-pulse-like ground motions. This indicates that the performance of the buildings designed in accordance with ASCE 7–10 does not necessarily satisfy the performance expected in ASCE 41–17.