Application of modified partial capacity design on six-story L-shaped reinforced concrete buildings with variations on elastic columns configurations

Abstract

Modified Partial Capacity Design (M-PCD) is an alternative design method for seismic-resistant structures. M-PCD adopts the partial side sway mechanism for its failure mechanism where beams and some columns are allowed to develop plastic hinges. This method uses two models for design. The first model simulates a small earthquake occurrence and is used to design beams and plastic columns. The second model simulates a larger earthquake occurrence and damages on the structure. The elastic columns are designed based on the superposition of internal forces from the first and second models, provided that the effects from gravity loads are considered only once. This study focuses on the application of M-PCD on six-story L-shaped reinforced concrete buildings with variations on elastic columns configurations. Nonlinear time history analyses are used to determine the buildings’ performance on two earthquake levels (EDRS and MCER) and two earthquake directions (0° and 45° rotated earthquake). The results show that the partial side sway mechanism is observed in most of the analyzed structures and drifts are within set boundaries.