International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Seismic Analysis o f Buildings Resting on
Sloping Ground and Considering Bracing
System
G Suresh1
JNTUA College of Engineering,
Ananthapuramu, Ananthapuramu,
Andhra Pradesh
Abstract:- Most of the constructions in hilly regions are
constrained by local topography which results in the adoption
of either a step back or step back &set back configuration. Due
to this the structure is irregular by virtue of varying column
heights leading to torsion and increased shear during seismic
ground motion. The dynamic analysis is carried out using
response spectrum method to the step back and step back &
set back building frames. The dynamic response i.e.
fundamental time period, storey displacement & drift, and
base shear action induced in columns have been studied for
buildings of different heights. These results show that the
performance of step back & set back building frames are more
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suitable in comparison with step back building frames. But
after considering bracings to the step back building frames, a
better performance can be observed when compared with step
back & set back building frames.
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Keywords – Hill slope angle, number of bays, Static analysis,
response spectrum analysis, step back frames, step back &
set back frames, step back with bracings.
1. INTRODUCTION:
The economic growth & rapid urbanization in hilly region
has accelerated the real estate development. Due to
this, population density in the hilly region has increased
enormously. The adobe burnt brick, stone masonry &
dressed stone masonry buildings are generally made over
level ground in hilly regions. Since level land in hilly
regions is very limited, there is a pressing demand to
construct buildings on hill slope. Hence construction of
multi-storey R.C .Frame buildings on hill slope is the only
feasible choice to accommodate i n creas in g demand of
residential & commercial activities.
2. SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:
It is observed from the past earthquakes, buildings in hilly
regions have experienced high degree of demand leading
to collapse though they have been designed for safety of
the occupants against natural hazards. Hence, while
adopting practice of multi -storey buildings in these hilly &
seismically active areas, utmost care should be taken,
making these buildings earthquake resistant. In these areas
buildings with step back configuration frames may some
times give worst results so bracing system is
IJERTV3IS090871
(This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.)
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014
Dr. E Arunakanthi2
JNTUA College of Engineering,
Ananthapuramu, Ananthapuramu,
Andhra Pradesh
used for the these buildings and comparing the results with
other configuration.
3. SCOPE OF STUDY:
Three dimensional space frame analysis is carried out for two
different configurations of buildings ranging from 8 to 10
storey’s resting on sloping and plain ground under the action
of seismic load by using Etabs software. And also considering
bracing system
to step back building configuration. Dynamic response of
these buildings, in terms of base shear, fundamental time
period and displacement is presented, and compared within the
considered configuration as well as with other configurations.
At the end, a suitable configuration of building to be used in
hilly area is suggested.
The effects of the supporting foundation medium on
the motion of structure gives soil structure interaction, but this
may not be considered in the seismic analysis for structures
supported on rock or rock like naterials.
4. BUILDING CONFIGURATION:
In the present study, two groups of building ( i.e.
configurations) are considered, and these two are resting on
sloping ground. The slope of ground is 27 degree with
horizontal, which is neither too steep or nor too flat. The
height and length of building in a particular pattern are in
multiple of blocks (in vertical and horizontal direction), the
size of block is being maintained at 7 m x 5 m x 3.5 m. The
depth of footing below ground level is taken as 1.75 m where,
the hard stratum is available. And two bays are considered.
The buildings shown in figure 4.1, having step back
configuration are labeled as STEP 8 to STEP 10 for 8 to 10
storey. Step back -Set back configuration of buildings is
shown in figure 4.2, are designated as STEP 8 to STEP 10,
according to height of building. .The building with equal
number of storey’s/bays have same floor area in two
configurations.
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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

Types Colum Bea

S of No. n Size m
r. Frame of (mm) Size
N s Store (m
o. y 300 m)
STEP 8 x
6
400
Step 0
x 230 x
STEP 9
1 back 0 500
8
400
fram 0
es STEP x
0
8
10
0
STEP 300
0 Fig: 1 Step back frames of 8 storey, 9 storey and 10 storey buildings
SET x
Step 8 6
back 0 230 x
2 & set STEP 400
0 500
back SET x
frames 9 8
0
STEP 400
0
SET x
1 8
0 0
3 Bracings STEP 0 230x300
8,9,10

In the present study, three groups of building ( i.e.

configurations) are considered, out of which two are resting on Fig: 2 Step back & set back frames of 8 storey, 9 storey and 10 storey
sloping ground and third one is on plain ground. The first two buildings
are step back buildings and step back-setback buildings; and
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third is the set back building. The slope of ground is 27 degree
with horizontal, which is neither too steep or nor too flat. The
height and length of building in a particular pattern are in
multiple of blocks ( in vertical and horizontal direction), the
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size of block is being maintained at 7 m x 5 m x 3.5 m. The

depth of footing below ground level is taken as 1.75 m where,
the hard stratum is available.
Geometrical properties of members for different
configurations of building:

4.1 LOADINGS:

Live load 4 kN/m² Fig: 3 Step back frames of 8 storey, 9 storey and 10 storey buildings with
bracings:
Floor finish 1.5 kN/m²
Wall weight 13.8 kN/m
6.9 kN/m on roof
Seismic loading: IS 1893
Zone factor 0.36 (zone V)
Soil type I
Importance factor 1.5
Response reduction, R 5
Ecc. Ratio 0.05

Seismic analysis of different configurations of buildings i s

carried o u t by Response S p e c t r u m a s per IS 1893
(Part I): 2002. The buildings located in Zo n e V ( 0.36) Fig: 4 Shows typical 3D view of Step back building frame.
with I m p o r t a n c e Factor as 1.5. Damping is 5%
and Response Reduction Factor considered is 5.0 for
special RC moment resisting frame .

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

5.1.1 Displacement variation o f step back and step back

& set back frames :
The variation of displacement for different number of
storey’s and configurations of building frames is
shown below:

5.1.1.1 Comparison of displacements between step back

and step back & set back frames of 8 storey building:

0.003
Fig: 5 Shows a typical 3 D view of Step back building frame with
bracings. 0.0025
0.002 set n
0.0015 stepback

0.001 stepback

0.0005
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Fig:6 Shows a typical 3D view of Step &set back building frame.

0.003
0.0025
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PARAMETRIC STUDY:
0.002
set n
A study of seismic behavior of a hill buildings resting 0.0015 stepback
on level ground and on sloping ground is done
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considering different configurations. These buildings are in 0.001 stepback

the range of 8 to 10 storey with maximum height of 0.0005
buildings restricted to 35 m. The location of these
building is in Seismic zone V. Bay width of frame is 0
7.0 m x 5.0 m and in general story height considered as 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
3.5 m. The depth of footing below ground level is
considered about 1.75 m below ground surface.

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 5.1.1.2 Comparison of displacements between step back

and step back & set back frames of 9 storey building:
Results are divided in to two parts, Both types of
building frames such as step back and step back set back
frames are compared and also step back with bracings and 0.003
step back & set back frames are also compared under
seismic loading using response spectrum method.
The results obtained are e x p r e s s e d in t e r m s of 0.002 step & set
b a s e shear, time period & top storey displacement.
back
5.1 Comparison of Step back and Step back & Set back 0.001 step back
building frames:

Analysis is carried out on these above mentioned 0

configurations of building frames by considering different
number of stories varying from 8 storey’s to 10 storey’s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
and results obtained are discussed in further sections.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

0.0035 0.7
0.003 0.6
0.5
0.0025 step & set
0.4
0.002 step & set back
0.3
back
0.0015 0.2 step back
0.001 step back 0.1
0.0005 0
0 1 3 5 7 9 11
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

5.1.1.3 Comparison of displacements between step back

and step back & set back frames of 10 storey building: 0.7
0.6
0.5
0.004 step & set
0.4
0.003 back
0.3
0.2 step back
0.002
step & 0.1
0.001 set back
0
step back
0 1 3 5 7 9 11
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

5.1.2.2 Comparison of time period between step back and

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0.0035
step back & set back frames of 9 storey building:
0.003
0.0025
step & 0.7
0.002
set 0.6
0.0015 back 0.5
0.001 0.4 step & set
step
0.0005 back 0.3 back
0 0.2 step back
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 0.1
0
1 3 5 7 9 11

From the above graphs the displacement for top stories of step
& set back and step back buildings shows that; the
displacement in step back buildings are more compared to step
& set back building frames. The nature of variation
observed is non linear for all number of stories.

5.1.2 Time period variation of step back and step back

& set back frames:
The t i m e p e r i o d variation for different number of
storey’s and configurations of building frames is
shown below by considering 1 2 m o d e s .

5.1.2.1 Comparison of time period between step back and

step back & set back frames of 8 storey building:

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

Storey step & set back(Vx) step

0.8 back(Vx)
0.7 Base 38.83 39.42
0.6 1 19.33 16.09
0.5 step & set 2 125.7 111.2
0.4 back 3 299.24 266.87
0.3
step back 4 362.86 455.16
0.2
0.1 5 342.03 610.87
0 6 260.69 625.94
1 3 5 7 9 11 7 600.64 1550.7
8 392.99 1027.03

5.1.2.3 Comparison of time period between step back and

step back & set back frames of 10 storey building:
2000
0.8
1500
0.7
step & set
0.6 1000 back
0.5
0.4 step back
step & set back 500
0.3
step back
0.2 0
0.1
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0
1 3 5 7 9 11
5.1.3.2 Comparison of storey shear between step back and
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step back & set back frames of 9 storey building:

storey step & set step

0.8 back(Vx) back(Vx)
Base 33.14 40.8
0.6
1 10.09 4.9
step & set
0.4 2 88.54 77.56
back
3 228.61 214.47
0.2 step back
4 297.9 403.99

0 5 305.95 607.74

1 3 5 7 9 11 6 266.37 746.49
7 196.97 731.14
8 499.62 1773.58

From the above graphs time period for Step back frames are 9 326.77 1164.93
more when compared with Step & Set back frames. However
time period for 9 and 10 storey building frames are nearly
similar.

5.1.3 Comparison of Storey Shear for different

configurations:

The storey shear for different storeys of different

configurations is compared.

5.1.3.1 Comparison of storey shear between step back and

step back & set back frames of 8 storey building:

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

5.2 Comparison of Step back with bracings and Step &

2000 Set back Frames:

5.2.1 Comparison of displacement between step back with

1500
bracings and step back & set back frames of 8 storey
step & set building:
1000 back
step back
500 0.0025
0.002
0 step n set back
0.0015
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
0.001
step back
5.1.3.3 Comparison of storey shear between step back and 0.0005 (bracings)
step back & set back frames of 10 storey building: 0
123456789

storey step & set step

back(Vx) back(Vx)
0 41.31 41.09 0.0025
1 11.46 0.74
0.002
2 19.21 53.07 step n set
3 110.07 163.81 0.0015 back
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4 184.08 341.54 0.001

step back
5 246.73 557.59
0.0005 wih
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6 304.42 769.4 bracings

7 359.53 881.08 0
8 417.23 838.94 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
9 612.9 2002.22
10 438.41 1304.62
5.2.2 Comparison of displacement between step back with
bracings and step back & set back frames of 9 storey
building:
2500

2000
0.0012
1500 step & set 0.001
back(Vx)
1000 0.0008
step back(Vx) step & set back
0.0006
500
0.0004 step back with
0
0.0002 bracings
1 3 5 7 9 11
0
1 3 5 7 9
From above graphs storey shear at base is more for Step back
building frames when compared with Step & Set back frames.
But for 10 storey building frame the storey shear at base is
approximately similar but shear for other storey’s are differ.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 9, September- 2014

6. CONCLUSION:
0.0012
From the above data due to the seismic analysis for the
0.001 structures with different loading combinations the
step & set following conclusions are drawn:
0.0008 1. As per IS 1893-2002 buildings with dual system consist of
back
0.0006 shear walls or bracing frames so that these are designed to
resist the total design lateral force in proportion to their lateral
0.0004 step back stiffness. So Step back frames without bracings produce
with higher base shear as compared with step back & set back
0.0002 frames.
bracings
0 2. The step back building frames without bracings give
higher values of time period as compared with step back
1 3 5 7 9 & set back frames.
3. The step back building frames without bracings give
higher values of top storey displacement as
compared with step back & set back frames.
4. The performance of step back frames without
5.2.3 Comparison of displacement between step back with bracings during seismic excitation can be effected more
bracings and step back & set back frames of 10 storey than other configurations of building frames. Hence,
building: step back building frames without bracings on sloping
ground are not desirable. However, it may be adopted
by providing bracing system to control displacements.
0.0008 5. Step b a c k & set b a c k f r a m e s produces less
0.0007 torsion effects as compared to step back frames. In
case step back building frames are proposed, then step
0.0006
back frame shall be designed for higher moments
0.0005 induced in columns due to earthquake.
step & set back
0.0004 6. As number of storey’s increases time period & top
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storey displacement also increases.
0.0003 step back with 7. Step back frames with bracings gives less
0.0002 bracings displacements compared with Step back frames with out
bracings and also Step & Set back frames.
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0.0001
0
7. REFERENCES:
1 3 5 7 9 11
1. Satish Kumar and D.K. Paul., “Hill buildings configuration from
seismic consideration”, Journal of structural Engg., vol. 26, No.3,
October 1999, pp. 179-185.
0.0008 2. IS:1893 (I)-2002., “Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of
Structures” BIS, New Delhi.
0.0006 step & set 3. S.S. Nalawade., “ Seismic Analysis of Buildings on Sloping Ground,”
M.E. Dissertation, University of Pune, Pune Dec-2003
back 4. I.S. 1893(Part 1)-2002, Criteria for earthquake resistant
0.0004 design of structure, general provision and building,
Bureau of Indian standards, New Delhi.
0.0002 step back
with
0 bracings
1 3 5 7 9 11

By comparing the Displacements between Step & Set back

frames and Step back frames with bracings, can say that the
displacements are much decreased for Step back frames as
bracings are considered.

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