Accuracy Assessment of Nonlinear Seismic Displacement Demand Predicted by Simplified Methods for the Plateau Range of Design Response Spectra

Abstract

The nonlinear seismic displacement demand prediction for low-period structures, i.e., with an initial fundamental period situated in the plateau of design response spectra, is studied. In Eurocode 8, the computation of seismic displacement demands is essentially based on a simplified method called the N2 method. Alternative approaches using linear computation with increased damping ratio are common in other parts of the world. The accuracy of three methods for seismic displacement demand prediction is carefully examined for the plateau range of Type-1 soil class response spectra of Eurocode 8. The accuracy is assessed through comparing the displacement demand computed using nonlinear time-history analysis (NLTHA) with predictions using simplified methods. The N2 method, a recently proposed optimization of the N2 method, and the Lin and Miranda method are compared. Nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom systems are subjected to several sets of recorded earthquakes that are modified to match design response spectra prescribed by Eurocode 8. The shape of Eurocode 8 response spectra after the plateau is defined by a constant pseudovelocity range