The effect of architectural form on the earthquake behavior of symmetric RC frame systems

In this study, structural irregularities in plan, which has a considerable effect on earthquake behavior of buildings, have been investigated in detail based on Turkish Earthquake Code 2007. The study consists of six main parametric models and a total of 144 sub-models that are grouped based on RC structural systems such as frame, frame + rigid core, frame with shear wall, and frame with shear wall + rigid core. All models are designed to have both symmetrical plan geometry and regular rigidity distribution. Changes in the earthquake behavior of buildings were evaluated according to the number of storeys, number of axes and the configuration of structural elements. Many findings are obtained and assessed as a result of the analysis for each structural irregularity. The study shows that structural irregularities can be observed in completely symmetric buildings in terms of plan geometry and rigidity distribution.