Response Reduction Factor for Structures with Significant Irregularities on Different Soil Stratum

The ability of a structure to dissipate energy through inelastic behavior is reflected in the response reduction factor (R), which is influenced by redundancy, ductility, and overstrength. Accurate determination of R is crucial for seismic design. This study focuses on determining the response factor for reinforced concrete (RC) structures with various irregularities. Non-linear static pushover analysis using SAP2000 was employed for numerical simulations to assess the impact of soil-structure interaction (SSI). The analysis included elevational and in-plan irregularities, revealing that buildings with irregular vertical geometries have lower inelastic seismic capacities compared to regular buildings. Consequently, R should be reduced by 15–40% from the ECP 2020 standard before the design phase for such structures. Irregularity was found to have a significant impact on weak soil conditions (C), leading to a reduction in R of 20.3% and 13.1% for fixed and isolated supports, respectively, on loose soil. Additionally, stiffer base soils were associated with higher R values for the same structure. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-07 Full Text: PDF