Analytical Investigation on the Seismic Response of Reinforced Concrete Frame Using Midasgen

Abstract

The recent Nepal earthquakes in 2015 have raised the questions about the adequacy of frame structures to resist strong motions since many buildings suffered great damages and collapse. Effective mitigation of structures against seismic load is of paramount importance when considering structural resistance and physical integrity. In this paper, the nonlinear static (pushover) analysis of a seven storey building has been conducted using MIDASGEN with the aim of studying the seismic response of the RC frame and to determine the displacement capacity of the structure. The pushover analysis shows the pushover curve, capacity spectrum, and performance level of the existing building. Since the demand spectrum was found to intersect the capacity spectrum near the elastic range, it then means that the structure has a good resistance to the design earthquake load of magnitude 5.2 (Mw) and would not necessarily require retrofitting. Pushover analysis gives an insight and crucial information about the seismic performance of structures as the failure progression of members can be easily monitored.