A new damage index for RC buildings based on variations of nonlinear fundamental period

Many vital reinforced concrete (RC) buildings experience moderate or severe earthquakes in their lifetime because they are located in hazardous areas. However, their importance cause to be evaluated by different types of damage functions. In these procedures, structures are usually modelled. These models neither correctly display the effects of the cracks that emerge and plastic hinges nor precisely consider the effects of asymmetric configuration and infill panels. Furthermore, the actual nonlinear dynamic behaviour of existing buildings could be evaluated by assessing nonlinear dynamic characteristics such as the fundamental period. These dynamic characteristics, which are obtained by some field tests such as forced and/or ambient vibration methods, comprise the aforementioned effects. This paper offers a damage index (pattern) for seismic damage assessment of RC buildings based on the variation of the nonlinear fundamental period, which is obtained by field tests. Finally, the seismic situation of existing RC buildings that have experienced an earthquake is precisely and expeditiously assessed by this new damage index. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.