Secondary abstract: |
In the Ph. D. thesis, the extension of the N2 method for the structures with important higher mode effects along the elevation has been proposed. The estimation of higher mode effects is based on assumption that the structure remains in the elastic range when vibrating in higher modes. In other words, it is assumed that the higher mode effects in the inelastic range are the same as in the elastic range. Based on this assumption, the computational procedure was prepared. The influence of higher modes is determined by the standard elastic modal analysis and applied in terms of correction factors, which are used for the adjustment of the results obtained by the usual pushover analysis. The proposed procedure is consistent and compatible with the extended N2 method for plan-asymmetric buildings. A single standard elastic modal response spectrum analysis can provide correction factors for taking into account the higher mode effects both in plan and in elevation. We consider this point as the main advantage of the proposed approach. In the first part of the thesis, the proposed procedure was applied to nine planar steel frame building with different number of stories using different intensities of ground motion. The results, in particular storey drifts, are compared with the results of nonlinear response history analysis, with the results of other simplified nonlinear methods (MPA and MMPA), and with the results obtained by pushover analysis without consideration of higher modes. A considerable influence of higher modes on storey drifts can be observed at the upper part of the structures. The extended N2 method, as well as the other two methods (MPA and MMPA), which approximately take into account the higher mode effects, are able to substantially improve the accuracy of the results compared to results without considering the influence of higher modes (basic N2 method). The accuracy of predictions of the three approximate methods (proposed N2, MPA and MMPA), varies with the intensity of ground motion (i.e. with the magnitude of plastic deformation) and is different for different sets of ground motions and for different structural systems. In the second part of the thesis the practice-oriented procedure for seismic evaluation of building structures, based on the extended N2 method (taking into account higher modes effect in plan and in elevation) is presented, together with the application of this procedure to an existing multi-storey reinforced concrete buildings. Although several problems may occur during the analysis procedure, the N2 method provides, in combination with data on seismic capacity, a feasible tool for rational yet practical seismic evaluation of building structures for multiple performance objective. |