Seismic nonlinear static new method of spatial asymmetric multi‐storey reinforced concrete buildings

In order to obtain the seismic demands of spatial asymmetric multi‐storey reinforced concrete (r/c) buildings, a new seismic nonlinear static (pushover) procedure that uses inelastic response acceleration spectra is presented in this paper. The latter makes use of the optimum equivalent nonlinear single degree of freedom system, which is used to represent the general spatial asymmetric multi‐storey r/c building. For each asymmetric multi‐storey building, a total of 12 suitable nonlinear static analyses are needed according to the new proposed procedure, whereas at least 96 suitable nonlinear dynamic analyses are required in the case of nonlinear response history analysis (NLRHA), respectively. In addition, the present paper provides answers to a series of further questions with reference to the spatial action of the two horizontal seismic components in the static nonlinear (pushover) analyses, as well as to the documented calculation of the available behaviour factor of the asymmetric multi‐storey r/c building. According to the paper, this new proposed seismic nonlinear static procedure is a natural extension of the documented equivalent seismic static linear (simplified spectral) method that is recommended by the established contemporary seismic codes, with reference to torsional provisions. Finally, through a restricted parametric analysis carried out in this paper, a relevant numerical example of a two‐storey r/c building is presented for illustration purposes, where the seismic demand floor inelastic displacements are compared with the respective displacements obtained by the NLRHA. Consequently, the new proposed seismic nonlinear static procedure, which uses inelastic response acceleration spectra, can reliably evaluate the extreme values of floor inelastic displacements (on the flexible and stiff side of the building), as is shown by the above comparisons. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.