DynamicBehaviorofReinforcedConcreteStructureswithMasonryWalls.docVIP

Dynamic Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Structures With Masonry Walls S.H. Heloua Ph.D. P.E. and A.R. Touqanb Ph.D. a Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, An-Najah National University, Nablus-Palestine b Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, An-Najah National University, Nablus-Palestine Abstract. The inclusion of a soft storey in multistory concrete buildings is a feature gaining popularity in urban areas where the cost of land is exorbitant. In earthquake prone zones, this feature has been observed in post earthquake investigations. Although engineers are prepared to accept the notion that a soft storey poses a weak link in Seismic Design, yet the idea demands better understanding. The following study illustrates the importance of the judicious distribution of shear walls. The selected building is analyzed through nine numerical models which address the behavior of framed structures. The parameters discussed include, inter alias, the fundamental period of vibration, lateral displacements and axial and shear forces. It is noticed that an abrupt change in stiffness between the soft storey and the level above is responsible for increasing the strength demand on first storey columns. Extending the elevator shafts throughout the soft storey is strongly recommended. Keywords: Multistory Building, Seismic Analysis, Mode Shapes, Shear Walls, Soft Storey INTRODUCTION In metropolitan areas Planners have a tendency to allocate the first level or first levels of high rise buildings for functional or vernacular requirements such as parking facilities or public service areas. This feature is particularly true in urban areas in many geographical locations worldwide especially in locations where land is a scarce commodity. Such a task is normally accomplished by removing the walls that surround the building, thus reducing the stiffness of that particular floor and producing a soft storey. However, since Palestine lies in a seismically active zone, i