A review of reference models for assessing inelastic seismic torsional effects in buildings

This paper reviews the various forms of reference model adopted for studies that evaluate inelastic seismic torsional effects and assess their implications for building design. Both qualitative and quantitative comparisons are presented. The importance of selecting an appropriate reference model is in accordance with the above aims is emphasised. It is found that variations in the reference models adopted in analyses of inelastic seismic torsional effects may lead to significant differences in the results obtained and, hence, to the conclusions drawn from such studies. It is demonstrated that accidental torsional effects, as incorporated in code design provisions, result in significant changes to the distribution of element strengths and the inelastic response behaviour of symmetric and generalised torsionally balanced reference models. Such changes should be considered when employing such models to evaluate the ineslatic response of torsionally unbalanced building systems.     

Accidental eccentricity in symmetric buildings due to wave passage effects arising from near‐fault pulse‐like ground motions

This article investigates the characteristics of the accidental eccentricity in symmetric buildings due to torsional response arising from wave passage effects in the near‐fault region. The soil–foundation–structure system is modeled as a symmetric cylinder placed on a rigid circular foundation supported on an elastic halfspace and subjected to obliquely incident plane SH waves simulating the action of near‐fault pulse‐like ground motions. The translational response is computed assuming that the superstructure behaves as a shear beam under the action of translational and rocking base excitations, whereas the torsional response is calculated using the mathematical formulation proposed in a previous study. A broad range of properties of the soil–foundation–structure system and ground motion input are considered in the analysis, thus facilitating a detailed parametric investigation of the structural response. It is demonstrated that the normalized accidental eccentricity is most sensitive to the pulse period (T_P) of the near‐fault ground motions and to the uncoupled torsional‐to‐translational fundamental frequency ratio (Ω) of the structure. Furthermore, the normalized accidental eccentricities due to simplified pulse‐like and broadband ground motions in the near‐fault region are computed and compared against each other. The results show that the normalized accidental eccentricity due to the broadband ground motion is well approximated by the simplified pulse for longer period buildings, while it is underestimated for shorter period buildings. For symmetric buildings with values of Ω commonly used in design practice, the normalized accidental eccentricity due to wave passage effects is less than the typical code‐prescribed value of 5%, except for buildings with very large foundation radius. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

对称结构在水平地震作用下的扭转效应和抗扭设计探讨

针对水平地震作用下对称结构抗扭设计中存在的问题,分析了对称结构扭转振动的原因,然后分别采用静力和动力方法研究了考虑偶然偏心作用时结构反应的增大效应,比较了这两种方法计算结果的异同,最后结合我国抗震规范提出了适当的结论和改进建议,为对称结构的抗扭设计提供了理论依据。     

Torsional response of symmetric buildings to incoherent and phase‐delayed earthquake ground motion

This paper studies the effect of coherency loss and wave passage on the seismic torsional response of three‐dimensional, multi‐storey, multi‐span, symmetric, linear elastic buildings. A model calibrated against statistical analyses of ground motion records in Mexico City is used for the coherency function. The structural response is assessed in terms of shear forces in structural elements. Incoherence and wave passage effects are found to be significant only for columns in the ground level of stiff systems. The increase of column shears in the ground level is much higher for soft than for firm soil conditions. For the torsionally stiff systems considered, it is found that incoherent and phase‐delayed ground motions do not induce a significant rotational response of the structure. The use of a code eccentricity to account for torsion due to ground motion spatial variation is assessed. On firm soil, the use of a base shear along with an accidental eccentricity results in highly overestimated shear forces; however, for soft soil conditions, code formulations may result in underestimated shear forces. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Torsionally coupled dynamic performance analysis of asymmetric offshore platforms subjected to wave and earthquake loadings

The dynamic equations of motion of asymmetric offshore platforms under three different environmental conditions:seismic action,wave action and their combination are established in this paper. In establishing these motion equations,three typical eccentricity types including mass eccentricity,rigidity eccentricity and their combination were considered,as are eccentricities that occur un-idirectionally and bi-directionally. The effects of the eccentricity type,the dynamic characteristics and the environmental conditions on the torsional coupling response of platforms are investigated and compared. An effort has also been made to analyze the inffluence of accidental eccentricity on asymmetric platforms with different eccentricity in two horizontally orthogonal directions. The results are given in terms of non-dimensional parameters,accounting for the uncoupled torsional to lateral frequency ratio. Numerical results reveal that the eccentricity type has a great inffluence on the torsionally coupled response under different environmental conditions. Therefore,it is necessary to consider the combination of earthquake and wave action in the seismic response analysis of some offshore platforms.     

Natural and accidental torsion in one‐storey structures on elastic foundation under non‐vertically incident SH‐waves

Factors α and β used in equivalent static analysis to account for natural and accidental torsion are evaluated with consideration of soil–structure interaction. The combined torsional effects of structural asymmetry and foundation rotation are examined with reference to a single monosymmetric structure placed on a rigid foundation that is embedded into an elastic half‐space, under to the action of non‐vertically incident SH waves. Dynamic and accidental eccentricities are developed such that when used together with the code‐specified base shear, the resulting static displacement at the flexible edge of the building is identical to that computed from dynamic analysis. It is shown that these eccentricities do not have a unique definition because they depend on both the selection of the design base shear and the criterion used for separation of the torsional effects of foundation rotation from those of structural asymmetry. Selected numerical results are presented in terms of dimensionless parameters for their general application, using a set of appropriate earthquake motions for ensuring generality of conclusions. The practical significance of this information for code‐designed buildings is elucidated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

正弦行波激励下单层偏心框架结构扭转响应的解析解

文中针对单层偏心框架结构,利用正弦行波激励研究了质量偏心率和激励频率对偏心框架结构行波扭转响应的影响规律.建立了行波激励下单层偏心框架结构的振动方程,采用相对运动法求解给出了正弦行波激励下单层偏心框架结构楼板的质心平动位移和转角位移以及楼板扭矩和柱剪力的解析解.计算了一个钢筋混凝凝土单层偏心框架结构的峰值楼板扭矩和峰值...     

An alternative approach for computing seismic response with accidental eccentricity

Accidental eccentricity is a non-standard assumption for seismic design of tall buildings. Taking it into consideration requires reanalysis of seismic resistance, which requires either time consuming computation of natural vibration of eccentric structures or finding a static displacement solution by applying an approximated equivalent torsional moment for each eccentric case. This study proposes an alternative modal response spectrum analysis(MRSA) approach to calculate seismic responses with accidental eccentricity. The proposed approach, called the Rayleigh Ritz Projection-MRSA(RRP-MRSA), is developed based on MRSA and two strategies:(a) a RRP method to obtain a fast calculation of approximate modes of eccentric structures; and(b) an approach to assemble mass matrices of eccentric structures. The efficiency of RRP-MRSA is tested via engineering examples and compared with the standard MRSA(ST-MRSA) and one approximate method, i.e., the equivalent torsional moment hybrid MRSA(ETM-MRSA). Numerical results show that RRP-MRSA not only achieves almost the same precision as ST-MRSA, and is much better than ETM-MRSA, but is also more economical. Thus, RRP-MRSA can be in place of current accidental eccentricity computations in seismic design.     

非对称结构扭转振动多重调谐质量阻尼器(MTMD)控制的最优位置

研究了非对称结构扭转振动多重调谐质量阻尼器(MTMD)控制的最优位置。本文采用的MTMD具有相同的刚度、阻尼，但质量不同。基于导出的设置MTMD时非对称结构扭转角位移传递函数，建立了扭转角位移动力放大系数解析式。MTMD最优参数的评价准则定义为：非对称结构最大扭转角位移动力放大系数的最小值的最小化。MTMD的有效性评价准则定义为：非对称结构最大扭转角位移动力放大系数的最小值的最小化与未设置MTMD时非对称结构最大扭转角位移动力放大系数的比值。基于定义的评价准则，研究了非对称结构的标准化偏心系数(NER)和扭转对侧向频率比(TTFR)对不同位置MTMD最优参数和有效性的影响。     

Using accidental eccentricity in code-specified static and dynamic analyses of buildings

The differences between the increase in building response due to accidental eccentricity predicted by code-specified static and dynamic analyses are studied for symmetric and unsymmetric single and multistorey buildings. The increase in response computed from static analysis of the building is obtained by applying the equivalent static forces at distance e_a, equal to the storey accidental eccentricity, from the centre of mass at each floor. Alternatively, this increase in response is computed by dynamic analysis of the building with the centre of mass of each floor shifted through a distance e_a from its nominal position. A parametric study is performed on single-storey systems in order to evaluate the differences in response predicted by both analysis procedures. It is shown that these results are essentially the same as the ones obtained for a special class of multistorey systems. Upper and lower bounds for the differences in response computed from static and dynamic analyses are obtained for general multistorey systems. These differences in response depend primarily on the ratio of the fundamental torsional and lateral frequencies of the building. They are larger for small values of the frequency ratio and decrease to zero as the frequency ratio becomes large. Further, these discrepancies are in many cases of the same order as the code-intended increase in response due to accidental eccentricity. This implies that the code-specified static and dynamic analyses to account for accidental torsion should be modified to be mutually consistent.     

Predicting torsion‐induced lateral displacements for pushover analysis: Influence of torsional system characteristics

The increasing popularity of simplified nonlinear methods in seismic design has recently led to many proposals for procedures aimed at extending pushover analysis to plan asymmetric structures. In terms of practical applications, one particularly promising approach is based on combining pushover analysis of a 3D structural model with the results of linear (modal) dynamic analysis. The effectiveness of such procedure, however, is contingent on one fundamental requirement: the elastic prediction of the envelope of lateral displacements must be conservative with respect to the actual inelastic one. This paper aims at verifying the above assumption through an extensive parametric analysis conducted with simplified single‐storey models. The main structural parameters influencing torsional response in the elastic and inelastic range of behaviour are varied, while devoting special attention to the system stiffness eccentricity and radius. The analysis clarifies the main features of inelastic torsional response of different types of building structures; in this manner, it is found that the above‐mentioned method is generally suitable for structures characterized by moderate to large torsional stiffness, whereas it cannot be recommended for extremely torsionally stiff structures, as their inelastic torsional response almost always exceeds the elastic one. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Torsional response of nonductile structures with soft‐first‐storey

In this paper, torsional response of nonductile structures with soft‐first‐storey subjected to bidirectional ground motions is studied using a simplified two‐storey model with two‐way eccentricities. The stiffness ratio of second storey to first storey is varied to create different levels of soft‐first‐storey effect, while the stiffness eccentricity is varied to create torsional effects. Different overstrength ratios are used in the simplified models to study the response of structure with different structural capacity. Hysteretic model with strength deterioration and stiffness degradation properties is used to capture the deterioration of element stiffness and strength. Ductility capacity of 2.0 is used as the models are for nonductile structures. In general, displacement amplification of irregular model with respect to regular model increases as stiffness ratio increases, while no consistent trend of changes in displacement amplification is found with increase in stiffness eccentricity. It is found that the displacement amplification due to only soft‐first‐storey effect can be conservatively taken as 1.5. Coupling of torsional and soft‐first‐storey effects is more significant in affecting the displacement amplification of elements at flexible side. The trend of changes in displacement amplification of elastic system is similar to that of inelastic system. The displacement amplification of elements at the flexible side is larger than that at the stiff side. The elements at the flexible side in the direction of shorter uncoupled lateral period have larger displacement response than those in the orthogonal direction. Ductility demand–capacity curves subsequently constructed can be used to approximately assess the seismic performance of existing structures and as guidelines for designing structures in Singapore to withstand the maximum credible earthquake considering the coupling of torsional and soft‐first‐storey effects. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coupled lateral-torsional behaviour of frame structures under earthquake loading

A series of parametrically defined experimental model structures has been tested under earthquake base loading using the SERC national U.K. earthquake simulator. The models have been designed with variable ratios of torsional to lateral stiffness, and with both symmetric and asymmetric mass distributions. This paper first describes the tests carried out to determine the basic dynamic model properties and the establishment of idealized analytical models which give accurate predictions of model behaviour under steady-state loading and free-vibration conditions. Secondly, a detailed discussion is made of the two highly coupled structural models having uncoupled torsional to lateral frequency ratio R_f = 1.2, commenting on the ability of the modal analysis procedures to predict accurately the maximum recorded responses. It is concluded that the theory underestimates the significance of the fundamental torsional mode of vibration in the combined structural response, and overestimates the contribution of the first lateral mode. These effects compensate each other on the side of the structure which is most severely affected by torsional response, but produce large inaccuracies on the side of the building which is commonly assumed to be affected beneficially by torsional coupling.     

Seismic torsional provisions for dynamic eccentricity

A study is made of the dynamic torsional response of a single mass partially symmetric system to ground excitation. Using the response spectrum technique, the torsional response and dynamic eccentricity are determined as functions of the eccentricity of the system and its uncoupled frequency ratio. It is shown that the dynamic eccentricity can best be expressed as a bilinear function of eccentricity. For the critical condition which occurs when the uncoupled frequency ratio is unity, a comparison is made with the torsional provisions of five seismic codes (Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, ATC3 and Germany). It is shown that the first four codes underestimate the torsional moment, and also the edge displacement of the system, significantly when the eccentricity is small and the uncouped torsional and lateral frequencies are close.     

Importance of seismic design accidental torsion requirements for building collapse capacity

Seismic ground motions induce torsional responses in buildings that can be difficult to predict. To compensate for this, most modern building codes require the consideration of accidental torsion when computing design earthquake forces. This study evaluates the influence of ASCE/SEI 7 accidental torsion seismic design requirements on the performance of 230 archetypical buildings that are designed with and without accidental torsion design provisions, taking building collapse capacity as the performance metric. The test case archetypes include a broad range of heights, gravity load levels, and plan configurations. Results show that the ASCE/SEI 7 accidental torsion provisions lead to significant changes in collapse capacity for buildings that are very torsionally flexible or asymmetric. However, only inconsequential changes in collapse capacity are observed in the buildings that are both torsionally stiff and regular in plan. Therefore, the study concludes that accidental torsion provisions are not necessary for seismic design of buildings without excessive torsional flexibility or asymmetry. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Inelastic seismic response of code-designed multistorey frame buildings with regular asymmetry

Based on an asymmetric multistorey frame building model, this paper investigates the influence of a building's higher vibration modes on its inelastic torsional response and evaluates the adequacy of the provisions of current seismic building codes and the modal analysis procedure in accounting for increased ductility demand in frames situated at or near the stiff edge of such buildings. It is concluded that the influence of higher vibration modes on the response of the upper-storey columns of stiff-edge frames increases significantly with the building's fundamental uncoupled lateral period and the magnitude of the stiffness eccentricity. The application of the equivalent static torsional provisions of certain building codes may lead to non-conservative estimates of the peak ductility demand, particularly for structures with large stiffness eccentricity. In these cases, the critical elements are vulnerable to excessive additional ductility demand and, hence, may be subject to significantly more severe structural damage than in corresponding symmetric buildings. It is found that regularly asymmetric buildings excited well into the inelastic range may not be conservatively designed using linear elastic modal analysis theory. Particular caution is required when applying this method to the design of stiff-edge frame elements in highly asymmetric structures.     

Torsional balance of plan‐asymmetric structures with frictional dampers: analytical results

This investigation deals with the torsional balance of the earthquake response and design of elastic asymmetric structures with frictional dampers. Plan asymmetry leads to an uneven lateral deformation demand among structural members and to unbalanced designs with larger capacities in some resisting planes. Frictional dampers are capable of controlling lateral‐torsional coupling by placing the so‐called empirical center of balance (ECB) of the structure at equal distance from all edges of the building. This rule is developed for single‐story systems with linear and inelastic behavior. However, recently obtained theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that this rule carries over to multistory structures. Results show that the peak displacement demand at the building edges and that of resisting planes equidistant from the geometric center may be similar if the damper is optimally placed. It is also shown that torsional amplification of the edge displacements of arbitrary asymmetric structures relative to the displacement of the symmetric counterparts are approximately bound by a factor of 2. Furthermore, frictional dampers are equally effective in controlling lateral‐torsional coupling of torsionally flexible as well as stiff structures. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Torsional phenomena in 2008 great Wenchuan earthquake

It is well known that there are some torsional damages in earthquakes. In Taibai park, Jiangyou city, Sichuan province, most of the stone statues, which were placed upon the banisters of one zigzag bridge, exhibited different torsional phenomena in 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. This paper introduces the torsional phenomena of all the statues on the zigzag bridge firstly. Then one eccentricity model is established and the equivalent rotational accelerations are calculated in order to analyze the causes of the to...     

分层弹性地基场地土扭转地震反应分析

本文对场地土按分层弹性地基土建立了合理的力学模型，通过动力分析，给出了分层弹性地基场地土扭转自振特性及在扭转地震载荷作用下强迫反应的解析解，文中的解析公式为分层弹性的基场地土扭转地震反应分析提供了一种新的解析方法．     

摩擦摆基础隔震上部偏心结构地震反应影响因素分析

对上部结构存在偏心的摩擦摆基础隔震结构进行了水平双向地震作用下的地震反应分析,研究了上部结构偏心距和抗扭刚度对结构地震反应的影响。分析表明:上部结构偏心距对上部结构和隔震层的位移反应和加速度反应均有较大影响,即使在上部结构偏心距较小时,其对结构地震反应仍有一定程度的影响;上部结构的抗扭刚度对上部结构的加速度反应影响较小,而对上部结构的位移反应影响较大;上部结构的抗扭刚度对隔震层的加速度反应和位移反应影响较小。因而,对于上部结构存在偏心的摩擦摆基础隔震结构,应减小上部结构偏心距并增大其抗扭刚度以减小摩擦摆基础隔震结构的扭转反应。