Damage-based Evaluation Of Eurocode 8 RiskLevels For R/C Buildings

The seismic response capacities of reinforced concrete frame buildings designed by accomplishing with Eurocode 8 rules are assessed. Intermediate behavioural features comprised between the serviceability and ultimate limit states — which represent the only conditions expressly dealt with by the code — are particularly investigated. A special dynamic analysis procedure, proposed and applied within previous studies concerning damage assessment of existing structures, is utilised with proper modifications to this aim. The general lines of the new research program, essentially based on the construction of (a) kinematic response parameter, and (b) damage curves of structural members and systems designed to Eurocode 8, are established. These graphs, summing up the statistical outcome of extensive dynamic analyses carried out under real and artificial input ground motions — all progressively scaled so as to reproduce growing seismic hazards — are then related to (a) performance-level, and (b) damage "grids", respectively derived from worldwide leading design Standards and Guidelines, and literature suggestions. A first case study is finally presented, constituted by a ten-story plane frame deeply analysed by other authors to evaluate the safety margins inherent to Eurocode 8 design provisions, the performance of which is herein assessed in terms of interstory drift, and Park-Ang damage indices.