Effectiveness of nonlinear static procedures for slender masonry towers

This paper investigates the accuracy of pushover-based methods in predicting the seismic response of slender masonry towers, through comparison with the results from a large number of nonlinear time-history dynamic analyses. In particular, conventional pushover analyses, in both their force- and displacement-based variants, are considered, and seismic assessment through the well-established N2 method is also addressed. The study is conducted by applying a simple non-linear elastic model recently developed and implemented in the computational code MADY to represent slender masonry structures. The model enables both pushover analyses and non-linear dynamic analyses to be performed with a minimum of effort. A multi-record incremental dynamic analysis carried out for a quite large number of structural cases, each of which is subjected to a comprehensive set of dynamic nonlinear analyses, is used to evaluate the accuracy of pushover methods in predicting the global structural response, as represented by the usual capacity curve together with a damage curve, both of which are compared with dynamic envelopes. Local responses, in terms of lateral displacements and the distribution of damage along the tower height are also compared. The results reveal that the key issue in the accuracy of pushover methods is the nature of the lateral load applied, that is, whether it is a force or a displacement. Different ranges of expected deformation are suggested for adopting each type of lateral load to better represent the actual behaviour of masonry towers and their damage under seismic events through pushover methods.     

Extension of modal pushover analysis to seismic assessment of bridges

Nonlinear static (pushover) analysis has become a popular tool during the last decade for the seismic assessment of buildings. Nevertheless, its main advantage of lower computational cost compared to nonlinear dynamic time‐history analysis (THA) is counter‐balanced by its inherent restriction to structures wherein the fundamental mode dominates the response. Extension of the pushover approach to consider higher modes effects has attracted attention, but such work has hitherto focused mainly on buildings, while corresponding work on bridges has been very limited. Hence, the aim of this study is to adapt the modal pushover analysis procedure for the assessment of bridges, and investigate its applicability in the case of an existing, long and curved, bridge, designed according to current seismic codes; this bridge is assessed using three nonlinear static analysis methods, as well as THA. Comparative evaluation of the calculated response of the bridge illustrates the applicability and potential of the modal pushover method for bridges, and quantifies its relative accuracy compared to that obtained through other inelastic methods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

应用弹塑性反应谱对IDA方法的改进研究

针对传统IDA方法中结构的加速度反应远高于SPO分析结果的现象,采用弹塑性反应谱作为IDA的烈度度量,同时给出随地震烈度改变而不断变化的屈服强度系数,提出了改进的IDA方法,更有效地考虑了结构的非线性地震反应特征。实际工程分析表明,改进的IDA方法能够体现结构的非线性受力反应,同时兼顾结构的动力反应特征,与SPO曲线和由规范计算得到的结构承载力有更好的可比较性。     

Pushover分析方法的发展及其在桥梁结构中的应用

非线性静力分析方法（Pushover分析方法）可以较好地检验结构的变形能力,找到结构的薄弱环节,控制强烈地震作用下结构破坏程度,对工程设计有很强的指导意义。但目前Pushover分析方法的种类很多,各自有着不同的优缺点和适用范围,针对桥梁结构,阐述静力非线性分析方法（Pushover）的原理及其研究发展概况,评述了各种Pushover方法的优缺点,并分析了Pushover方法用于桥梁结构的基本原理和评价方法,指出Pushover方法用于桥梁结构存在的问题。     

The applicability of the N2 method to the estimation of torsional effects in asymmetric base‐isolated buildings

The paper deals with the applicability of the extended N2 method to base‐isolated plan‐asymmetric building structures. The results obtained by the usual pushover analysis of a 3D structural model are further combined with the aid of linear dynamic (spectral) analysis to account for the dynamic effects caused by structural asymmetry. In the paper, the method has been applied to the seismic analysis of a mass‐eccentric four‐storeyed RC frame building isolated with lead rubber bearings. Three different positions of the center of isolation system (CI) with respect to the center of mass (CM) and the center of stiffness of the superstructure (CS) were considered. The response was analyzed for three different eccentricities, three different torsional to lateral frequency ratios of the superstructure, and two ground motion intensities. The stiffness of the isolators was selected for three different protection levels, which resulted in elastic as well as moderately to excessively damaged superstructure performance levels. The results are presented in terms of the top, base and relative displacements, as well as the stiff/flexible side amplification factors. A more detailed insight into the nonlinear behavior of the superstructure is given in a form of ductility factors for the flexible and stiff side frames. The results of the extended N2 method for selected lateral load distributions are compared with the average results of nonlinear dynamic analyses. It was concluded that the extended N2 method could, with certain limitations, provide a reasonable prediction of the torsional influences in minor to moderately asymmetric base‐isolated structures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于自由场局部变形的地下结构抗震Pushover分析方法

对地下结构抗震Pushover分析方法进行了改进,采用自由场局部变形峰值作为目标位移,局部变形峰值时刻对应的土层水平加速度作为等效惯性加速度输入。给出了局部变形峰值和等效惯性加速度确定方式,详细介绍了基于自由场局部变形的地下结构抗震Pushover分析方法实施步骤、使用方法和功能特点。该方法更有针对性地考虑了强地震作用下不同埋深地下结构与土体的非线性特征以及两者之间的相互作用,通过分析变形和受力情况可以得到完整的能力曲线,更好地评估地下结构抗震性能。使用本文方法对3种埋深的地下结构进行计算,并与动力非线性分析结果进行对比研究。结果表明:本方法在计算稳定性和模拟精度方面优于基于自由场整体变形的Pushover方法;对于不同的输入地震波,能力曲线的吻合程度更高;在强震和罕遇地震情况下,对于深埋地下结构,计算结果略大于动力非线性结果,对实际工程而言更加安全。     

Enhanced nonlinear static analysis with the drift pushover procedure for tall buildings

In this study a new method for nonlinear static analysis based on the relative displacements of stories is proposed that is able to be implemented in a single stage analysis and considers the effects of an arbitrary number of higher modes. The method is called the extended drift pushover analysis procedure (EDPA). To define the lateral load pattern, values of the relative displacements of stories are calculated using the elastic modal analysis and the modal combination factors introduced. For determining the combination factors, six different approaches are examined. Buildings evaluated in this study consist of four special steel moment-resisting frames with 10–30 stories. Responses including relative displacements of stories, story shear forces and rotation of plastic hinges in each story are calculated using the proposed approaches in addition to modal pushover analysis and nonlinear dynamic time history analyses. The nonlinear dynamic analysis is implemented using ten consistent earthquake records that have been scaled with regard to ASCE7-10. Distribution of response errors of story shears and plastic hinge rotations show that a major part of error corresponds to the second half of the buildings studied. Thus, the mentioned responses are corrected systematically. The final results of this study show that implementing the EDPA procedure using the third approach of this research is able to effectively overcome the limitations of both the traditional and the modal pushover analyses methods and predict the seismic demands of tall buildings with good accuracy.     

An improved upper-bound pushover procedure for seismic assessment of high-rise moment resisting steel frames

In recent years, nonlinear static procedures (NSPs) have gained considerable popularity as an efficient tool in the performance based seismic design practice. This was backed by extensive corroboration studies that have demonstrated its good accuracy in estimating the seismic response of regular structures. Despite the numerous improvements of the original versions of NSPs, their use to assess the seismic response of irregular structures and high-rise buildings is still challenging; they are not able to predict with sufficient accuracy all the complexities associated to the seismic response of this type of structures. Thus, an improved upper-bound (IUB) pushover procedure for seismic assessment of plane frames is presented in this paper, aiming to enhance the accuracy of existing methods in predicting the seismic behaviour of high-rise buildings. The novelty of this proposal is based on the adjustment of the pattern of the lateral load of the upper-bound pushover method applied to tall structures. The accuracy of the procedure is tested using nine, twelve, fifteen and twenty storeys steel buildings. The results of the (IUB) are compared to those of the capacity spectrum method, the modal pushover analysis, the upper bound pushover analysis, the modified upper bound pushover analysis and the non-linear time history analysis (NTHA). In most cases, the proposed procedure shows better results and closer to those obtained by NTHA.     

约束混凝土砌块结构抗震性态研究

性态抗震设计已成为结构抗震设计的发展趋势,本文以约束混凝土砌块结构为对象,在提出约束混凝土砌块墙承载力计算公式的基础上,建立了砌块墙片的恢复力模型。对3座不同层数的典型约束混凝土砌块结构,在代表不同场地类别、不同地震动强度的输入下分别进行了动力非线性时程分析和静力非线性分析。通过计算结果的对比,讨论了2种分析方法中场地类别、地震动强度、静力非线性分析中侧力分布模式等影响,所得结论可以为用静力非线性分析估计砌块结构的抗震性能提供有益的参考依据。     

Comparison of displacement coefficient method and capacity spectrum method with experimental results of RC columns

For the performance‐based seismic design of buildings, both the displacement coefficient method used by FEMA‐273 and the capacity spectrum method adopted by ATC‐40 are non‐linear static procedures. The pushover curves of structures need to be established during processing of these two methods. They are applied to evaluation and rehabilitation of existing structures. This paper is concerned with experimental studies on the accuracy of both methods. Through carrying out the pseudo‐dynamic tests, cyclic loading tests and pushover tests on three reinforced concrete (RC) columns, the maximum inelastic deformation demands (target displacements) determined by the coefficient method of FEMA‐273 and the capacity spectrum method of ATC‐40 are compared. In addition, a modified capacity spectrum method which is based on the use of inelastic design response spectra is also included in this study. It is shown from the test specimens that the coefficient method overestimates the peak test displacements with an average error of +28% while the capacity spectrum method underestimates them with an average error of ‐20%. If the Kowalsky hysteretic damping model is used in the capacity spectrum method instead of the original damping model, the average errors become ‐11% by ignoring the effect of stiffness degrading and ‐1.2% by slightly including the effect of stiffness degrading. Furthermore, if the Newmark–Hall inelastic design spectrum is implemented in the capacity spectrum method instead of the elastic design spectrum, the average error decreases to ‐6.6% which undervalues, but is close to, the experimental results. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simplified seismic sidesway collapse analysis of frame buildings

This paper presents the development and assessment of a simplified procedure for estimating the seismic sidesway collapse margin ratio of building structures. The proposed procedure is based on the development of a robust database of seismic peak displacement responses of nonlinear single‐degree‐of‐freedom systems for various seismic intensities and uses nonlinear static (pushover) analysis without the need for nonlinear time history dynamic analysis. The proposed simplified procedure is assessed by comparing its collapse capacity predictions on 72 different building structures with those obtained by nonlinear incremental dynamic analyses. The proposed simplified procedure offers a simple, yet efficient, computational/analytical tool that is capable of predicting collapse capacities with acceptable accuracy for a wide variety of frame building structures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fast performance uncertainty estimation via pushover and approximate IDA

Approximate methods based on the static pushover are introduced to estimate the seismic performance uncertainty of structures having non‐deterministic modeling parameters. At their basis lies the use of static pushover analysis to approximate Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) and estimate the demand and capacity epistemic uncertainty. As a testbed we use a nine‐storey steel frame having beam hinges with uncertain moment–rotation relationships. Their properties are fully described by six, randomly distributed, parameters. Using Monte Carlo simulation with Latin hypercube sampling, a characteristic ensemble of structures is created. The Static Pushover to IDA (SPO2IDA) software is used to approximate the IDA capacity curve from the appropriately post‐processed results of the static pushover. The approximate IDAs allow the evaluation of the seismic demand and capacity for the full range of limit‐states, even close to global dynamic instability. Moment‐estimating techniques such as Rosenblueth's point estimating method and the first‐order, second‐moment (FOSM) method are adopted as simple alternatives to obtain performance statistics with only a few simulations. The pushover is shown to be a tool that combined with SPO2IDA and moment‐estimating techniques can supply the uncertainty in the seismic performance of first‐mode‐dominated buildings for the full range of limit‐states, thus replacing semi‐empirical or code‐tabulated values (e.g. FEMA‐350), often adopted in performance‐based earthquake engineering. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

交错桁架多层钢结构推倒分析方法研究

随着基于性能的抗震设计思想的发展,推倒分析开始成为罕遇地震下多、高层结构抗震设计的有力工具。本文以交错桁架多层钢结构为例,采用推倒分析对其在E l Centro波作用下的地震反应进行研究,分别采用位移系数法和能力谱法确定结构目标位移,同时进行结构在相同地震动下的弹塑性时程分析。研究表明,推倒分析能准确地评价交错桁架多层钢结构的抗震性能,采用位移系数法和能力谱法确定的结构顶点侧移均与弹塑性时程分析吻合较好,对层间位移及塑性铰分布的预测,能力谱法比位移系数法更为准确。     

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.     

Evaluation of ASCE-41, ATC-40 and N2 static pushover methods based on optimally designed buildings

Alternative static pushover methods for the seismic design of new structures are assessed with the aid of advanced computational tools. The current state-of-practice static pushover methods as suggested in the provisions of European and American regulations are implemented in this comparative study. In particular the static pushover methods are: the displacement coefficient method of ASCE-41, the ATC-40 capacity spectrum method and the N2 method of Eurocode 8. Such analysis methods are typically recommended for the performance assessment of existing structures, and therefore most of the existing comparative studies are focused on the performance of one or more structures. Therefore, contrary to previous research studies, we use static pushover methods to perform design and we then compare the capacity of the outcome designs with reference to the results of nonlinear response history analysis. This alternative approach pinpoints the pros and cons of each method since the discrepancies between static and dynamic analysis are propagated to the properties of the final structure. All methods are implemented in an optimum performance-based design framework to obtain the lower-bound designs for two regular and two irregular reinforced concrete building configurations. The outcome designs are compared with respect to the maximum interstorey drift and maximum roof drift demand obtained with the Incremental Dynamic Analysis method. To allow the comparison, also the life-cycle cost of each design is calculated; i.e. a parameter that is used to measure the damage cost due to future earthquakes that will occur during the design life of the structure. The problem of finding the lower bound designs is handled with an Evolutionary type optimization algorithm.     

Static versus modal analysis: influence on inelastic response of multi-storey asymmetric buildings

The paper investigates the influence of design procedures on the seismic response of multi-storey asymmetric buildings. To this end, some structures are designed according to methods based on either static or modal analysis, with or without design eccentricities. The seismic response of these systems is determined by means of inelastic dynamic analyses and the design is thoroughly examined in order to explain the results of the dynamic analyses. Attention is basically focused on the ability of design methods to prevent asymmetric buildings from experiencing ductility demands much larger than those of the corresponding torsionally balanced systems. Numerical analyses underline that while design procedures based on either static or modal analysis are suitable for the design of torsionally rigid structures only those based on modal analysis lead to the satisfactory performance of torsionally flexible buildings. Furthermore, the study highlights the qualities of a design method proposed by the Authors. Its application does not require any explicit calculation of design eccentricities and leads to proper seismic response of both torsionally rigid and flexible asymmetric buildings.     

Assessment of the dynamic response of unreinforced masonry structures using a macroelement modeling approach

The seismic performance of unreinforced masonry structures is strongly associated with the interaction between in‐plane and out‐of‐plane mechanisms. The seismic response of these structures has been thoroughly investigated by means of experimental testing, analytical procedures, and computational approaches. Within the framework of the numerical simulations, models based on the finite element method provide a good prediction of the seismic performance of unreinforced masonry structures. However, they usually require a high computational cost and advanced user expertise to define appropriate mechanical properties and to interpret the numerical results. Because of these limitations, simplified models for practical applications have been developed during the last decades. Despite this, a great number of these models focus mostly on the evaluation of the in‐plane response, assuming box (or integral) behavior of the structure. In this paper, a simplified macroelement modeling approach is used to simulate the seismic response of 2 masonry prototypes taking into consideration the combined in‐plane and out‐of‐plane action. The numerical investigations were performed in the static and dynamic fields by using pushover analyses and nonlinear dynamic analyses respectively. The latter is a novel implementation of a model previously developed for static analysis. The results obtained from this study are in good agreement with those provided by a detailed nonlinear continuum FE approach, demonstrating the applicability of this macroelement model with a significant reduction of the computational cost.     

考虑屈服位移的竖向不规则结构抗震性能评估

本文给出了一种改进的模态pushover方法,对竖向不规则结构进行抗震性能评估。通过考虑不规则结构高振型的影响,利用模态pushover方法将结构简化为不同的等效单自由度体系,并对其进行弹塑性时程分析,将所得到的结果进行组合,得到原结构的楼层位移和层间位移等性能指标。由于结构处于屈服阶段与处于弹性阶段时的各节点变形的关系有显著区别,因此对于进入塑性阶段的振型,采用屈服后的各节点变形关系计算位移变形响应,将计算得到的各个振型结果组合得到整体结构的位移。通过四个算例分析,表明改进的方法所得到的结果更加接近于弹塑性时程分析的结果,证明此方法能够有效地应用于竖向不规则结构的抗震性能评估与计算。     

An adaptive capacity spectrum method for assessment of bridges subjected to earthquake action

Estimating seismic demands on structures, to predict their performance level with confidence, requires explicit consideration of the structural inelastic behaviour: to this end, the use of nonlinear static procedures is inevitably going to be favoured over complex nonlinear time-history methods. The currently available assessment procedures have been tested predominantly against building frames. A newly derived assessment procedure is proposed within the scope of bridge applications, based on an innovative displacement-based adaptive pushover technique. The procedure, which can be incorporated into a performance-based engineering philosophy, is applicable to MDOF continuous span bridges with flexible or rigid superstructures, and for varying degrees of abutment restraint. As a first application to determine the viability of the proposed procedure, a parametric study is conducted on a ensemble of bridges subjected to earthquake motion. It is shown that, compared to the seismic demand estimated by means of the more accurate nonlinear dynamic analysis tool, the novel static assessment method can lead to the attainment of satisfactory predictions, both in terms of displacement as well as moment demand on members.     

Seismic evaluation of geometrically irregular steel moment resisting frames with setbacks considering their dynamic characteristics

A setback building has a sudden discontinuity in the frame geometry along the height. This kind of irregularity causes an abrupt discontinuity in stiffness, strength and mass of the building frame. In this study, a total of nineteen mid-rise 9-story steel moment resisting frames with setbacks including the broad range of different geometrical configurations were studied. An eigenvalue analysis was performed to evaluate and scrutinize the dynamic characteristics of setback structures. The effect of geometrical configurations on the seismic responses of setback frames was studied by means of nonlinear response history analysis using a set of far-field ground motion records. Moreover, due to the rapidly increasing use of pushover analysis for the seismic evaluation of structures in recent years, enhanced pushover analyses (EPAs) including the modal pushover analysis, the upper bound pushover analysis, the consecutive modal pushover and the extended N2 methods were implemented as a main part of this study. The findings show that two factors including the location of setback and the degree of setback are of key importance and influence the dynamic characteristics and seismic responses of setback structures. The degree of accuracy of the enhanced pushover analysis methods generally depends on the dynamic characteristics (geometrical configuration) of the setback frames. The largest error in the EPAs in predicting the story drifts generally occurs in a setback frame with a larger amount of the ratio between the effective modal participating mass ratio of the higher modes and that of the first mode.