Seismic response of slender MDOF structures with self‐centering base shear and moment mechanisms

Abstract

AbstractAs the amplification of seismic force demands due to higher‐mode effects on tall buildings is increasingly recognized as a design challenge, a number of high‐performance systems have been proposed to limit such effects through combined base shear‐limiting and moment‐limiting dual mechanisms. To better understand the influence of these dual base systems on the overall seismic behavior of tall buildings, this paper presents a study on the seismic response of Multi‐Degree‐of‐Freedom (MDOF) systems incorporating combined base shear‐limiting and moment‐limiting mechanisms. For an MDOF system with a given initial period and base strength level, the base shear‐limiting mechanism is defined by a shear strength factor, an inelastic stiffness parameter, and an energy‐dissipation parameter, while the base moment‐limiting mechanism is defined by a moment strength factor. To determine the influence of these parameters on the overall seismic responses of MDOF structures, a comprehensive parametric study was conducted, and the results were presented and discussed in terms of base displacement and rotation demands, seismic force demand amplification at the base and along the height, peak floor acceleration, peak roof drift, and absorbed energy. The numerical modeling methodology used in the parametric study was validated against 200 small‐scale shaking table tests of a scaled MDOF specimen with a base shear and moment dual‐mechanism system and was used to model MDOF structures that are representative of tall buildings with initial periods ranging from 1.0 to 10 s and having various base‐mechanism properties. The parametric study was then conducted using an ensemble of 20 Ground Motions (GM) scaled to three code‐specified seismic hazard levels for Los Angeles, California. The results of this study can be used to facilitate the design of base shear and moment dual‐mechanism systems for mitigating higher‐mode effects and enhancing the seismic resilience of tall buildings.