Shake table tests of ductile and nominally ductile reinforced concrete moment resisting frames

This paper presents the results of shake table tests on two, half scale, reinforced concrete moment resisting frames. Each frame had two bays and two storeys with overall dimensions of five metres in width and three metres in height. The first structure was designed as a ductile frame according to the current Canadian standards, while the second structure incorporated only nominally ductile details. Two levels of intensity were retained for the historical ground motions used in the tests. The first level simulated the design earthquake at the site, while the amplitudes were doubled in the second intensity. The ductile structure performed well during both tests. The frame with nominal ductility performed well during the first test, but was on the verge of collapse after the second test. Recommendations are presented to harmonize the seismic protection of ductile and nominally ductile reinforced concrete frames in Canada.