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Structural Monitoring and Maintenance Volume 11, Number 2, June 2024 , pages 101-126 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/smm.2024.11.2.101 |
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A novel approach for the definition and detection of structural irregularity in reinforced concrete buildings |
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S.P. Akshara, M. Abdul Akbar, T.M. Madhavan Pillai,
Renil Sabhadiya and Rakesh Pasunuti
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| Abstract | ||
| To avoid irregularities in buildings, design codes worldwide have introduced detailed guidelines for their check and rectification. However, the criteria used to define and identify each of the plan and vertical irregularities are specific and may vary between codes of different countries, thus making their implementation difficult. This short communication paper proposes a novel approach for quantifying different types of structural irregularities using a common parameter named as unified identification factor, which is exclusively defined for the columns based on their axial loads and tributary areas. The calculation of the identification factor is demonstrated through the analysis of rectangular and circular reinforced concrete models using ETABS v18.0.2, which are further modified to generate plan irregular (torsional irregularity, cut-out in floor slab and non-parallel lateral force system) and vertical irregular (mass irregularity, vertical geometric irregularity and floating columns) models. The identification factor is calculated for all the columns of a building and the range within which the value lies is identified. The results indicate that the range will be very wide for an irregular building when compared to that with a regular configuration, thus implying a strong correlation of the identification factor with the structural irregularity. Further, the identification factor is compared for different columns within a floor and between floors for each building model. The findings suggest that the value will be abnormally high or low for a column in the vicinity of an irregularity. The proposed factor could thus be used in the preliminary structural design phase, so as to eliminate the complications that might arise due to the geometry of the structure when subjected to lateral loads. The unified approach could also be incorporated in future revisions of codes, as a replacement for the numerous criteria currently used for classifying different types of irregularities. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| axial load; plan irregularity; structural irregularity; tributary area; unified identification factor; vertical irregularity | ||
| Address | ||
| S.P. Akshara,M. Abdul Akbar and T.M. Madhavan Pillai: Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Kozhikode-673601, India Renil Sabhadiya: KEC International, RPG centre, 30, Forjet street, near Bhatia hospital, Tardeo, Mumbai, India Rakesh Pasunuti: L&T Construction, Mount Poonamallee road, Manapakkam, P.B. No. 979, Chennai, India | ||
