VISUALIZING THE EFFECT OF EARTHQUAKES ON THE BEHAVIOR OF BUILDING STRUCTURES

The primary mechanisms of the effect of earthquakes is outlined, the response of buildings is briefly discussed, and the visualizing of the response of buildings to earthquakes via simple experiments is described. The complex reaction of large buildings is discussed, and the need is noted for the resolution of seismic design at the outset of many projects. A method is described whereby seismic effects may be translated into familiar static phenomena as lateral forces, similar to steady wind, or to vertical live loads. A typical response spectrum (plot peak accelerations vs the period of each oscillator) is examined and it is noted that the maximum response occurs in the neighborhood of 0.5 seconds, where the acceleration is roughly 2 1/2 times as much as that at a period of zero, which is the acceleration of the ground. At about one second the peak response is again about equal to ground acceleration and at longer periods it becomes even less. Building codes with seismic provisions offer various computational procedures. The equivalent static force procedure is described here. Recent experience indicates serious discrepencies in the intensity of the lateral forces obtained by simplified static methods and by dynamic methods. Ideally, a structure should have 2 axes or symmetry in plan, but structural symmetry may sometimes be achieved within a slightly unsymmetrical plan. The symmetry avoids torsion caused by lateral seismic forces. The structure should also consist of rigid frames, preferably in 3 dimensional configuration. Order aspects of architectural design which influence seismic effects in large buildings are also covered.

• Corporate Authors:

  McGraw-Hill, Incorporated

  330 West 42nd Street
  New York, NY  United States  10036
• Authors:
  • Weidlinger, P
• Publication Date: 1977-5

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: p. 139-142
• Serial:
  • Architectural Record
  • Volume: 161
  • Issue Number: 5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Architecture; Building; Building codes; Earthquake resistant design; Earthquake resistant structures; Earthquakes; Frames; Seismicity; Stiffness; Structural analysis; Torsion
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral loads; Response spectra; Seismic response
• Old TRIS Terms: Rigid frames
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Law;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00157183
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1978 12:00AM