Seismic Induced Global Collapse of Non-deteriorating Frame Structures

In a severe seismic event the destabilizing effect of gravity loads, i.e. the P-delta effect, may be the primary trigger for global collapse of quite flexible structures exhibiting large inelastic deformations. This article deals with seismic induced global collapse of multi-story frame structures with non-deteriorating material properties, which are vulnerable to the P-delta effect. In particular, the excitation intensity for P-delta induced structural collapse, which is referred to as collapse capacity, is evaluated. The initial assessment of the structural vulnerability to P-delta effects is based on pushover analyses. More detailed information about the collapse capacity renders Incremental Dynamic Analyses involving a set of recorded ground motions. In a simplified approach equivalent single-degree-of-freedom systems and collapse capacity spectra are utilized to predict the seismic collapse capacity of regular multi-story frame structures.