Assessment of seismic floor acceleration demands on nonstructural components in limited ductility RC frame buildings designed according to NBC 2015

Abstract

This research focuses on quantifying the seismic demands on the acceleration-sensitive nonstructural components (NSCs) attached to the RC moment-resisting frame buildings with limited ductility and designed according to the National Building Code of Canada (NBC 2015). A total of four benchmark structures with varying heights are considered in this study, and the seismic capacity of frame buildings has been evaluated using nonlinear static analysis performed in the SAP 2000 software. Time-history analyses have been performed on elastic and inelastic buildings utilizing simulated ground motion records compatible with Montreal uniform hazard spectra for firm ground (site class C in NBC 2015) with 475 and 2475-year return periods. Seismic acceleration demands on NSCs are evaluated by assessing the amplification of horizontal peak floor acceleration (PFA) and the component amplification factor along the height of buildings, compared to the various building code provisions, including NBC 2015, ASCE7, EC8, NZS 1170.5, and ATC. Finally, the overall seismic performance of NSCs is discussed by evaluating the component force factor, and a corresponding optimized profile is proposed to improve the estimation of seismic acceleration demands on NSCs in a moderate seismic zone.

Date	13 Jun 2022
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Rola Assi (Supervisor)