Assessing Structural Performance Using Energy

Published

June 30, 2024

Author(s)

Kevin K F Wong

Abstract

Buildings in seismic regions are designed to sustain significant damage during major earthquakes with collapse. Traditional linear design procedures use a force-based approach to size the building structural members. Alternatively, performance-based nonlinear design procedures use a displacement-based approach. However, neither of these procedures considers the dependance of component-level behavior on the loading history that is typically observed in the seismic response of structures. Seismic energy, which is a product of force and displacement, can reflect the structural behavior induced by the entire loading history. In this paper, a performance assessment method based on energy is explored. A moment-resisting steel frame is used to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. At the component level, performance is assessed by evaluating the plastic energy demand on nonlinear plastic hinges and comparing it with the corresponding plastic energy capacity determined from experimental data. The energy demand-to-capacity ratios at each plastic hinge are then evaluated to demonstrate the applicability of the seismic assessment procedure in practice and the advantages of using this approach. At the structural level, performance is assessed by evaluating geometric energy demand and comparing it with the maximum interstory drift to determine the performance of the structure. By considering both local and global levels, the assessment may provide increased level of confidence in the seismic performance evaluation as compared to the level offered by force- or displacement-based methods.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering

Conference Dates

June 30-July 5, 2024

Conference Location

Milan, IT

Conference Title

18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

Plastic Energy Demand, Plastic Energy Capacity, Geometric Energy Demand, Geometric Energy Capacity

Citation

Wong, K. (2024), Assessing Structural Performance Using Energy, Proceedings of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Milan, IT (Accessed December 26, 2024)