This study aimed to investigate the relationship between corporate diversification and firm performance in a developing country. Previous studies have found that the mixed results have been established between these two constructs in developed countries such as linear, u-shaped or inverted u-shaped relationship. To this end, a sample of 141 non-financial companies over the period of 2003 to 2013 listed on Pakistani stock market was used to analyze the impact of diversification strategy on the performance of firm. Corporate diversification is divided into two types including product and geographic diversification. The findings of the study demonstrated that an inverted u-shaped relationship existed as performance increased up to a certain level due to the related diversification strategy and then it fell down drastically. It showed that too much diversification creates agency problems and internal inefficiencies. It has implications for agency problems, weak corporate governance structures, and family relationships.

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The seismic response of the high-rise reinforced concrete (RC) wall structures is really complicated as several vibration modes other than the fundamental mode normally contribute significantly to the response-commonly recognized as 'higher mode effects'. Response spectrum analysis (RSA) procedure, which can account for higher mode effects, is usually employed to compute the seismic design demand for the high-rise structures. Recent studies show that the inelastic seismic force demands obtained from the rigorous nonlinear response history analysis procedure are much larger than the seismic force design demands obtained from the code-based RSA procedure for the high-rise RC wall structures. Though, the nonlinear response history analysis procedure is widely accepted for its ability to provide the most accurate estimate of nonlinear seismic responses, the obtained responses are generally so complex that it is quite difficult for engineers to grasp the overall picture of the responses and gain some insight into them and use them to understand the cause of high seismic demands. Another important issue related to the nonlinear seismic response prediction of the high-rise RC wall structures is the realistic and accurate numerical modeling of RC walls. In this study, a simplified but reasonably accurate procedure called the uncoupled modal response history analysis procedure is used to interpret the complex nonlinear behavior of high-rise RC wall structures. Moreover, a finite element model based on modified compression field theory is employed for accurate numerical modeling of RC walls by incorporating the axial-flexure-shear interaction. This study, by making use of a better computer modeling approach and an in-depth analysis by modal decomposition, aims to resolve some of the unanswered questions regarding realistic prediction of nonlinear seismic demands of high-rise structures. KEYWORDS finite element modeling, higher modes, high-rise, modal decomposition, RC core wall buildings, uncoupled modal response history analysis procedure

Thick population density and its escalation propensity in seismically active regions of Pakistan has raised sincere concerns about the performance of building stock whose suboptimal performance and complete collapses led to a colossal number of casualties during the past earthquakes. The current research is inspired by the Kashmir earthquake of 2005 which consumed more than 80,000 lives, out of which, approximately 19,000 were children due to wide spread collapse of school buildings. A new database for existing reinforced concrete (RC) school buildings in seismic zone 4 of Pakistan has been developed using the surveyed information and presented briefly. The paper presents the statistics of the data collected through field surveys and professional interviews. It was found that the infrastructural authorities in the considered region developed some specific designs for school buildings, with varying architectural and structural configurations, which were eventually replicated throughout the area. In the current study, almost 2500 schools were surveyed for identifying versatile architectural and structural configurations, and subsequently, 19 different types had been identified, which were eventually used as representative stock for the schools in seismic zone 4 of Pakistan, Muzaffarabad district. The results of the study yield the brief of the collected data from the field and a consolidated methodology for establishing the analytical fragility relationships for one of the 19 structural configurations of the school buildings. A sample building from the collected data has been selected by considering the maximum number of students, and afterwards, the vulnerability is assessed by employing incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) which constitutes the presented methodology. Finally, the fragility curves are developed and presented for the said building type. The derived analytical fragility curves for the considered building type indicate its structural vulnerability and as a whole represent its satisfactory behavior. The vulnerability assessment process and the fragility development are described in an easy manner so that the domestic practicing engineers can readily become able to extend the application towards other school buildings in the region. The developed relationships can be employed for rational decision making so that essential disaster preparedness can be carried out by identifying any need for structural strengthening and interventions.

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