Prediction and optimisation of seismic drift demands incorporating ground motion frequency content

This paper examines the distribution of seismic drift demands in multi-storey steel moment frames designed to the provisions of Eurocode 8, with due account of the frequency content of ground motion. After providing an overview of current design rules, selected results from a detailed parametric investigation into inelastic drift demands are presented and discussed. The study includes extensive incremental dynamic analyses covering a wide range of structural characteristics and a large suite of ground motion records. The mean period is adopted in this work as a measure of the frequency content of ground motion. Prediction models for maximum global and inter-storey drift demands are presented and shown to be primarily affected by the fundamental-to-mean period ratio and the behaviour factor. Particular attention is given in this paper to the influence of the relative storey stiffness ratio on the distribution of drift demands over the height of the structure. In order to achieve a comparatively uniform drift distribution, a target relative storey stiffness ratio, incorporating the structural and ground motion characteristics, is proposed for design purposes. Finally, the implications of the findings on typical design procedures are highlighted, and possible improvements in codified guidance are discussed.