Vulnerability of reinforced concrete frames in low seismic region, when designed according to BS 8110

Abstract

The overstrength and ductility due to redistribution of internal forces are being investigated for three bay multi-storey reinforced concrete plane frames, using non-linear push-over analysis. These frames are designed to resist gravity loads, wind loads and a notional horizontal load in accordance with the British code BS 8110, which does not have any special provision for seismic loads. The results show that the overstrength factors for the three-, six- and ten-storey frames are respectively, 7·5, 5·6 and 2·2 times the design lateral loads, whereas, the ductility factors for the three frames are similar, and slightly greater than 2. These values yield a response modification factor of 18·0, 12·2 and 4·7 for the three-, six- and ten-storey frames, respectively. The effect of infill walls on the response modification factor is also being investigated, and a suitable response modification factor for assessing the vulnerability of reinforced concrete frames of about 10 storeys high is recommended.