Strain energy-based uniformity spectrum for elastic deformation control of super high-rise buildings under near-fault pulse-like earthquake excitations

Abstract

To reasonably control the elastic lateral deformation of super high-rise buildings under near-fault pulse-like ground motions, inspired by a potentially close link between material utilization and normalized strain energy, a novel generalized uniformity spectrum of normalized strain energy (GUSNSE) is proposed via the nonuniform flexural-shear coupled model. With a full understanding of the characteristics of spectral shapes and the influence of shear-flexural stiffness ratios and mass-stiffness nonuniformity, the GUSNSE is fitted by artificial pulses. Utilizing the GUSNSE, a lateral stiffness estimation strategy is developed with the requirement of peak interstory drift ratios (IDRs). The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy are systematically demonstrated by comparison with not only the original lateral stiffness schemes of three significantly distinct buildings but also those designed for uniform IDRs. The accuracy of the fitted GUSNSE is also validated via the data estimated by four sets of ground motions. The GUSNSE-based strategy is promising as an efficient, reliable, and practical tool for providing lateral stiffness of super high-rise buildings in the preliminary design.