DISTRIBUTION OF REQUIRED WALL RATIO FOR LOW-RISE RC BUILDINGS BASED ON ENERGY BALANCE FOR CONTINUED USE AFTER EARTHQUAKES

Abstract

This paper focuses on low-rise RC buildings and presents a simplified method for calculating the distribution of the required wall ratio to ensure continued use after an earthquake. The method is based on energy balance and considers not only the main shock but also the largest foreshock or aftershock, aiming to keep the damage level below minor. The study estimates the distribution of wall ratios that would result in minor or less damage after multiple occurrences of extremely rare earthquake, as stipulated in the regulations, and provides guidelines useful for performance design. Nonlinear time-history response analyses were conducted to confirm the applicability of this method to strong seismic responses.