Recording Inter-Storey Drifts of Structures in Time-History Approach for Seismic Design of Building Frames

Abstract

The growing trend in the application of direct displacement-based or performance-based design, lays more emphasis on the precise prediction of design parameters such as the inter-storey drift controlling the performance level of the structure. Practising engineers employ different methods to record the inter-storey drifts in time-history approach mainly based on the maximum lateral deformation of the structure. In this study, a 15-storey concrete moment resisting building is designed using time-history analysis. Then reliability and accuracy of each method in predicting the maximum inter-storey drifts under the influence of three earthquake records, namely 1995 Kobe, 1994 Northridge and 1940 El Centro earthquakes, are investigated. Results clearly indicate that to choose the most critical drift to evaluate the performance level of structures, the absolute maximum drift over time should be calculated. Other methods based on the maximum storey deflection may result in unconservative design.

Key Words:

• Inter-storey drift
• Structure
• time-history
• earthquake
• deflection

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A S Hokmabadi

Asian S. Hokmabadi completed his BEng in Civil Engineering and MEng in Geotechnical Engineering. His research has mainly focused on studying the lateral behaviour of piles, site effect and soil-structure interaction resulting in several peer-reviewed technical papers. In addition, he has more than three years of industry experience, and has been involved in design and construction of several large embankment dams.

B Fatahi

Behzad Fatahi has worked as a consulting and site geotechnical and railway engineer. He has completed doctorate studies in soft soil geomechanics from the University of Wollongong. Behzad was named “Australasia Young Railway Engineer of Year 2007” by Engineers Australia and the Railway Technical Society of Australasia. He is currently a full-time senior Lecturer of Geotechnical and Railway Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney, and has worked at Coffey Geotechnics Pty Ltd for several years.

B Samali

Prof Bijan Samali is the holder of a Personal Chair in Structural Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He has been with UTS for 23 years. His main areas of research include structural dynamics and its applications to wind and earthquake, and more recently use of smart materials, dynamic assessment and health monitoring of bridges and buildings. He is the author of over 250 scholarly publications, and speaker at many national and international conferences.