Gravity-load-designed reinforced concrete buildings - part I: seismic evaluation of existing construction

The seismic performance of nonductile reinforced concrete frame buildings in regions of low to moderate seismicity is evaluated. Several significant aspects of nonductile detailing are modeled using rational simplifications of expected member behavior at critical sections to facilitate a complete inelastic time history analysis of the system. The detailing configurations included in the analysis are: discontinuous positive flexural reinforcement, lack of joint shear reinforcement, and inadequate transverse reinforcement for column core confinement. Seismic evaluations of three-, six-, and nine-story buildings are carried out under low- to moderate earthquake excitations. The essential parameters of the response are presented with a view to identifying vulnerability of such buildings to a potential seismic design event.