Performance Domain Design Procedure of Wall Buildings

SUMMARY In order to develop a new design, the designer faces a few numbers of preliminary designs and risk iterations to determine the most efficient structure. Similarly, in the case of reinforced concrete wall buildings, analysis is usually very complicated and time consuming only to find out that following minimum requirement was sufficient in the first place (due to the usually high wall-tofloor ratio). To simplify their design, a conceptual design approach is proposed which allows the designer to incorporate ductility or deformation-based response parameters into the initial phase of the design process. The proposed “Performance domain” procedure considers multiple performance levels and makes calculation simpler, establishes the minimum material requests that correspond closer to reality. It is based on results obtained in parametric analysis as well as on extensive library of experimental data. The design procedure starts with the specification of desired performance objectives for the entire structural system, given the hazardous environment in which it is to be constructed, and then provides a direct rational path by which the structure may be designed to attain these goals. The structural response limits are given by means of acceptability diagrams obtained through nonlinear response of various model wall buildings to a set of ground motions. The benefits of such methodology tend to be in improved understanding of the seismic performance of buildings. It should produce predictable and consistent seismic protection for new structures. In the paper, the method is described and discussed, and its basic derivations are given. Application of the method is illustrated by means of an example.