Evaluation of collapse resistance of RC frame structures for Chinese schools in seismic design categories B and C

According to the Code for Seismic Design of Buildings (GB50011-2001), ten typical reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures, used as school classroom buildings, are designed with different seismic fortification intensities (SFIs) (SFI=6 to 8.5) and different seismic design categories (SDCs) (SDC=B and C). The collapse resistance of the frames with SDC=B and C in terms of collapse fragility curves are quantitatively evaluated and compared via incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). The results show that the coll...     

Design objectives and collapse prevention for building structures in mega-earthquake

A "mega-earthquake" is one with an intensity larger than the most severe earthquake intensity category currently considered in design codes. For a "mega-earthquake," the design objective of a given structure is to "preserve living spaces for people in the buildings." In this paper,factors that may influence the collapse resistance of RC frames in a mega-earthquake are analyzed based on seismic damage observed in the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Methodologies to improve structural collapse resistance focus on three aspects:global strength margin,global redundancy and global integration of the structural system. Fundamental principles and design concepts for collapse prevention under a mega-earthquake are proposed,and issues that need further research are identified.