| Abstract: | Seismic building codes include design provisions to account for the torsional effects arising in torsionally unbalanced (asymmetric) buildings. These provisions are based on two alternative analytical procedures for determining the design load for the individual resisting structural elements. A previous study has shown that the linear elastic modal analysis procedure may not lead to conservative designs, even for multistorey buildings with regular asymmetry, when such structures are excited well into the inelastic range of response. The equivalent static force procedure as recommended by codes may also be deficient in accounting for additional ductility demand in the critical stiff-edge elements. This paper addresses the non-conservatism of existing static torsional provisions and examines aspects of element strength distribution and its influence on inelastic torsional effects. A recommendation is made for improving the effectiveness of the code-type static force procedure for torsionally unbalanced multistorey frame buildings with regular asymmetry, leading to a design approach which estimates conservatively the peak ductility demand of edge elements on both sides of the building. The modified approach also retains the simplicity of existing code provisions and results in acceptable levels of additional lateral design strength. It has recently been adopted by the new Australian earthquake code, which is due to be implemented early in 1993. |
