Evaluation of the seismic response of single-story RC frames under biaxial earthquake excitations

This paper summarizes the lessons learned from a full-scale test on two RC frame prototypes that have recently been tested on LNEC shaking-table using four pairs of biaxial synthetic ground motion records during 15WCEE Conference (2012). The reference structures are two singlestory RC frames which are geometrically identical but with different reinforcement details. The simplified inelastic models including ‘one-component’ inelastic elements with lumped plastic hinges at their ends are used to model the reference structures. The displacement demands of the RC frames are determined by using the nonlinear dynamic analyses and then compared with the exact test results for four different seismic hazards (intensities). In the initial pretest analyses, the modeling parameters and deformation capacities for each RC element are determined using ASCE/SEI 41-13 standard. However in the post-test studies, the experimental equations developed by Panagiotakos and Fardis (2001), Haselton and Deierlein (2008) are used to obtain more accurate structural responses. A detailed comparison is carried out between the analytical results with those given by the tests. The results clearly show that there is fairly good agreement between the analytical and test results. The simplified inelastic modeling techniques are also identified accurate enough in estimating the seismic response of RC buildings under biaxial excitations.