Abstract
Recent studies provided opportunities to review some of the principles, which have been used in the formulations of internationally accepted code-recommendations relevant to the seismic design of ductile buildings also subjected to torsional phenomena. With the progress of this study, features emerged which are considered to have contributed to a better understanding of structural behaviour. Moreover, the identification of deeply embedded fallacies, relevant to ductile response, suggested the introduction of some changes in seismic design strategies, yet not widely known or appreciated. Reasons for necessary re-interpretations of traditional structural properties, together with illustrative examples, demonstrating applications, rather than set code-type rules, are offered.
Highlights
A draft report on the assessment of the structural performance of existing buildings with earthquake risk (I) ushered in inquiries [2, 3, 4) relevant to the torsional seismic response of ductile buildings
A question which the report [ l) posed was: "For buildings where str~ctural details are not available, how could the displacement capacity of the structural system be assessed when its unquestionably affected by torsional phenomena?" By similarity to the concepts of the philosophy of capacity design, the establishment of ductile torsional mechanisms within the structural system, comprising lateral force-resisting elements, offered a promising starting point for further study (5)
Based on the presentation of some concepts to aid a better understanding of torsional behaviour of ductile systems, issues with a likely appeal to structural designers are stated here
Summary
A draft report on the assessment of the structural performance of existing buildings with earthquake risk (I) ushered in inquiries [2, 3, 4) relevant to the torsional seismic response of ductile buildings. A question which the report [ l) posed was: "For buildings where str~ctural details are not available (documentation lost, etc), how could the displacement capacity of the structural system be assessed when its unquestionably affected by torsional phenomena?" By similarity to the concepts of the philosophy of capacity design, the establishment of ductile torsional mechanisms within the structural system, comprising lateral force-resisting elements, offered a promising starting point for further study (5). Soon contradictions between existing code provisions, catering for torsional effects [6], and based on the response of elastic systems, and the needs for assessing displacements associated with inelastic seismic response and relevant limit states, emerged. Further studies [10, 11) lead to behaviour-based explanations of this specific torsional phenomenon, without being able as yet to arrive at a quantification of it, which would be simple and transparent enough for possible incorporation into routine design practice
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