CONSIDERATION OF NEAR-FAULT GROUND MOTION EFFECTS IN SEISMIC DESIGN

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a study that is intended to evaluate and quantify salient response attributes of near-fault ground motions. Recordings suggest that near-fault ground motions are characterized by a large high-energy pulse. It is shown that the response of structures to near-fault and pulse-type ground motions has similarities that can be used to represent near-fault records by simple pulses. The parameters of the equivalent pulses are related to magnitude and distance using regression on a data set derived from available near-fault records. Equivalent pulses are used to derive design spectra that can be used to determine the base shear strength of frame structures required to limit the maximum story ductility to a predefined target value. Recommendations are made for story shear force patterns that can improve the distribution of ductility demands over the height of the structure.