2.5.2.

2 Seismic loads:
Seismic loading on tall buildings is generated following a random ground motion
with frequency up to 33 Hz, with acceleration varies during a time span of 10 to 15
seconds [17, p. 3.3]. Typical accelerogram is shown in Figure 2.5.9

Figure 2.5.9 – Sample earthquake accelerations over time (Time History) [17]

The ground motion can be basically simulated as a single point load, varying with
time, applied at the top, to which the building responds dynamically and generates
the lateral (and sometimes considerably vertical) loads.
There are several ways to estimate the building’s response under seismic conditions,
including time, and frequency domains.
The basic principles start from the well-known vibration theory, to establish the
fundamental periods of vibration modes by solving the equation of motion
(Equation 2.5-1) mentioned previously, which is 2nd order ordinary differential
equation, in the following sequence (for SDOF):
 General equation of motion

1. 0  Homogeneous form
2  Auxiliary equation
2. 0

√ 4
3.  Solution of Auxiliary equation
2
4.  General solution of equation

5. The term √ 4 √Δ  Four scenarios: √Δ 0, and C=0

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5.1. sin  Scenario 1: C=0, (under-damped vibration)

, ,α tan

5.2.  Scenario 2: √Δ 0 (over-damped)

5.3.  Scenario 3: √Δ 0 (critically damped)

5.4. sin  Scenario 4: √Δ 0 (under-damped)

= damping ratio ,

6. , , are known  Equation solved

7.  is known  2 is the period of vibration

(circular frequency)
8.  Base shear is established

Figure 2.5.10 – Vibration Scenarios (for sample SDOF system)

1-Un-damped, 2- Over-damped, 3-Critically damped, 4- Under-damped

After the concept of SDOF calculation is outlined, we can resolve the MDOF
systems which include interconnected masses moving together. This can be secured
by establishing the equations of dynamic equilibrium which will reach a set of
simultaneous equations normally expressed in matrix form. This will lead to

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complications, but it can be addressed by representing the MDOF as generalized
SDOF model. The following procedure refers: [18]:
1. Identify the building properties, including masses – lumped at floor levels,
stiffness’s at each floor level, ( , ,
(Most system typically act as classically damped [18, p. 390], i.e. mode shapes,
frequencies remain the same as un-damped system)

2. Load the values , to the homogeneous form of motion equation:

0, or in matrix form:
0 … 0

0 … 0 0 … ⋮

0 0 0 ⋮ 0 0 ⋱ 0 0 ⋮ 0
⋮ ⋮ ⋱ ⋮
0 0 0 ⋮ ⋮ 0

0 … 0

3. The general solution of this differential equation is sin

Where  is the circular frequency, A is the amplitude vector of vibration,  is
the related to amplitude at start of vibration

4. Replacing the solution in the matrix gives: K ‐ M2 A 0,

5. Thus, det |K ‐ M2| 0 gives a polynomial of 2i order of  where i is the

degrees of freedom . Solving this polynomial gives the Eigen value 2 and

ultimately the periods of each mode of vibration t

6. Replacing each Eigen value in the matrix (of 4 above) again gives the A vector
Φ
⋮
Φ
7. It is a must to note that each mode of vibration acts independently given the
orthogonality of modes proved mathematically (i.e the vibration equations are
uncoupled – the modal superposition principle mentioned previously)

8. ∗
Each mode involves generalized mass , generalized stiffness , excitation
∗
factor L, and effective modal mass as follows:

∑ Φ ∗ ∑ Φ ∗
, , ,

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 ∗
Noting that refers to the most dominating modes in generating the motion-
dependent load, which are likely to be the first 3 at maximum
The steps from 1 to 8 are a must, however, to continue further there are 2 main ways
to proceed:
1. Using response spectrum method (frequency domain – when peak acceleration
is the question), the period is inserted to the graph, with certain damping, and
output would be the peak acceleration for each of equivalent SDOFs – the one
of generalized mass
2. Or using time history method (time domain – when time of peak response is
question), several accelerations are calculated at very small time intervals (0.01
sec for example)

3. Once acceleration is known, the base shear can be worked out which is the
product of modal mass with peak acceleration

4. The base shear then is divided by the ductility factor – which relates to the
ability of the structure to deform without failure during the earthquake.

Figure 2.5.11 – MDOF system: mode shapes, and generalized SDOF

models
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 Figure 2.5.12 – Relation between Time History and Response
Spectrum (extracted from [4, p. 367]

Figure 2.5.14 – EC8 Response Spectrum Type 2 (sample)

Figure 2.5.13 – El Centro Earthquake, ground acceleration (time history),

extracted from [4, p. 370]

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