Seismic response and torsional effects of RC structure with irregular plant and variations in diaphragms, designed with Venezuelan codes

The objective of this study is to determine the seismic response and torsional effects of an existing Reinforced Concrete building with irregular plant and five levels projected according to an older version of Venezuelan seismic design code. Two structures were analysed: the original building and a redesigned version. Nonlinear static analysis and nonlinear 3D dynamic analysis were applied, based on registers of three synthetic accelerograms compatible with the elastic design spectrum for the used code. In 3D analysis, four structures were simulated, with and without rigid diaphragms so as to compare the seismic behaviour of the buildings. Through this nonlinear analysis parameters were determined that define the behaviour of the structure, torsional moments and rotations in columns reached for simulated buildings. Also, to obtain damage fragility curves for five states damage were generated. Results show that the original structure has an inadequate resistant behaviour and a high probability of exceeding the moderate damage state, while the redesigned structure presents good performance under seismic events according to the existing code. It was also observed that maximum torsional effects occur in the entrant corners of the irregular plant, which are reduced in mid-rise buildings by using a rigid diaphragm.