Performance Comparisons of Seismic Assessment Methods with PSD Test Results of a Deficient RC Frame

The accuracy of estimating the performance levels of a deficient RC frame using linear elastic and nonlinear dynamic analysis is evaluated in this study. This was achieved by comparing the response of a structure tested with pseudo-dynamic testing and estimated by the linear elastic assessment procedures along with nonlinear dynamic analysis. The test structure (three bay-two storey planar frame) is a 1/2 scale reinforced concrete frame having masonry infill walls in the central span. The test frame contains a number of structural deficiencies such as low concrete compressive strength (7MPa), lack of transverse reinforcement detailing at potential plastic hinge regions and beam-column joints. Tests were conducted for the NS component of 7.14 magnitudes 1999 Duzce Earthquake for three different scale levels. Test results indicated that drift deformation demands estimated using nonlinear dynamic analysis were within 15% of those observed in the tests. On the other hand, damage estimations of TEC and FEMA 356 were found to be conservative resulting in retrofit decisions. It was also observed that although nonlinear dynamic analysis provided reasonable estimations for inter-storey displacements, local demand parameters such as column curvature demands were estimated with less accuracy.