Nonlinear static and dynamic behavior of reinforced concrete steel-braced frames

In this paper, the seismic performance of reinforced concrete braced frames (RC-BF) under far- and near-fault motions was investigated. Four-, eight-, 12- and 16-story RC-BFs were designed on the basis of a code-design method for a high risk seismic zone. Nonlinear static and dynamic analyses of the frames have been performed using OpenSees software. To consider diverse characteristics of near-fault motions, records with forward-directivity and fling-step effects were employed. From the results obtained in the analytical study it is concluded that the used design method was reasonable and the mean maximum drift of the frames under all ground motion sets were in acceptable range. For intermediate- and high-rise buildings the near-fault motions imposed higher demands than far-faults.