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Earthquakes and Structures
  Volume 6, Number 4, April 2014 , pages 351-373
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/eas.2014.6.4.
 


Response of non-structural components mounted on irregular RC buildings: comparison between FE and EC8 predictions
Ayad B. Aldeka, Andrew H.C. Chan and Samir Dirar

 
Abstract
    This paper investigates the seismic response of lightweight acceleration-sensitive non-structural components (NSCs) mounted on irregular reinforced concrete (RC) primary structures (P-structures) using non-linear dynamic finite element (FE) analysis. The aim of this paper is to study the influence of NSC to P-structure vibration period ratio, peak ground acceleration, NSC to P-structure height ratio, and P-structure torsional behaviour on the seismic response of the NSCs. Representative constitutive models were used to simulate the behaviour of the RC P-structures. The NSCs were modelled as vertical cantilevers fixed at their bases with masses on the free ends and varying lengths so as to match the frequencies of the P-structures. Full dynamic interaction is considered between the NSCs and P-structures. A set of 21 natural and artificial earthquake records were used to evaluate the seismic response of the NSCs. The numerical results indicate that the behaviour of the NSCs is significantly influenced by the investigated parameters. Comparison between the FE results and Eurocode (EC8) predictions suggests that EC8 underestimates the response of NSCs mounted on the flexible sides of irregular RC P-structures when the fundamental periods and heights of the NSCs match those of the P-structures. The perceived cause of this discrepancy is that EC8 does not take into account the amplification in the dynamic response of NSCs induced by the torsional behaviour of RC P-structures.
 
Key Words
    dynamic analysis; Eurocode 8; finite element; irregular RC buildings; non-structural components; torsion
 
Address
Ayad B. Aldeka and Samir Dirar : School of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
Andrew H.C. Chan : School of Science, Information Technology and Engineering, Federation University Australia, Victoria, Australia 3350 (formerly School of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham)
 

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