Journal of Structural and Earthquake Engineering

Journal of Structural and Earthquake Engineering

Comparative Evaluation of Effects of Lateral Load Distribution Pattern and Performance Point Determination Methods on Results of Nonlinear Static Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohamad Javad Bagherzadeh 1
Hamidreza Tavakoli 2
Alireza Gholtabar 1
Mohamadreza Banihashemi 3
1 Civil Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran
2 Civil Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology
3 Civil Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Amol Branch, Babol, Iran
Abstract
Nonlinear static analysis makes a significant contribution to earthquake engineering research by demonstrating the capacity of the underlying loading structure and reducing computational effort in comparison with nonlinear dynamic analysis. This analysis involves two main steps: the distribution of lateral load and the determination of the performance point. The accuracy of the results of this analysis is directly related to how these two stages are carried out. In this study, three methods of lateral load pattern (traditional, modal, and adaptive) and four procedures for determining the performance point based on the capacity spectrum (with special attention to the energy capacity spectrum) have been evaluated. The accuracy of these methods in estimating the displacement performance of regular and irregular masses in reinforced concrete frames of 5, 10, and 15 stories was compared to the results of dynamic analysis using 25 far-field records. The analysis results demonstrate the superiority of adaptive load patterns over traditional and modal patterns, particularly in tall and irregular frames. Additionally, the energy spectrum method, known for its simpler process, yields more accurate results. 
Keywords
Reinforced Concrete Frames
Irregular
Energy Spectrum