Author(s)

B. Shah & P. Patel

Abstract

A ground + six storey RC space frame model with two 3m x 3m panels in each plan direction and two 3m x 4.5m panels in each principal plan direction are selected. A comparison is made between the model having the rectangular cross section of columns and the equivalent square cross section. The same models were also analyzed considering brick wall elements in the periphery of the frame. The results obtained from the nonlinear static pushover analysis performance indicate that the plastic hinges formed in the frame with square shaped columns are less severe for both of the models. It was also observed that the models with peripheral brick walls indicate a similar behaviour. It can be concluded that the square shape of the column cross section improves the seismic response of a structure as compared to the rectangular shape of an equivalent area. Keywords: pushover analysis, plastic hinges, seismic evaluation, column shape, performance based on ATC-40. 1 Introduction The devastating earthquakes of Bhuj, India in January 2001 and Bam, Iran of December 2003 has prompted the structural engineers all around the globe to come together and work towards the understanding of this very complex force of nature. It has become very clear that some buildings are able to sustain the effects of quake whereas the others are not. In the Indian context, a large number of RC framed structures in the semi urban and urban areas of Bhuj and Ahemdabad were damaged or destroyed. It was observed that the buildings

Keywords

pushover analysis, plastic hinges, seismic evaluation, column shape, performance based on ATC-40.