Seismic assessment of concrete frames by endurance time method

The capability of endurance time analysis as an appropriate tool in performance-based earthquake engineering is assessed in this paper. Seismic performance of a comprehensive database of reinforced concrete moment-resisting frames is studied using endurance time and time history analysis. Ground motions used in this study are spectrally matched to the design spectrum which was used for the generation of the input motions of endurance time analysis. This matching facilitates the comparison of the results of two methods at different seismic hazard levels. Comparisons are done for different engineering demand parameters and the pros and cons of the endurance time method are discussed. The endurance time method is shown to provide an estimate of maximum inter-storey drift ratio, roof displacement and plastic hinge rotations that is very close to the results of time history analysis. This method can also correctly predict the distribution of displacement and lateral forces over all storeys. Results are compare...