Seismic assessment of existing r.c. framed structures with in-plan irregularity by nonlinear static methods

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of three nonlinear static methods for the prediction of the dynamic response of in-plan irregular buildings. The methods considered are the method suggested in Eurocode 8, a method previously proposed by some of the authors and based on corrective eccentricities and a new method in which two pushover analyses are considered, one with lateral forces applied to the centres of mass of the floors and the other with only translational response. The numerical analyses are carried out on a set of refined models of reinforced concrete framed buildings. The response predicted by the nonlinear static analyses is compared to that provided by nonlinear dynamic analyses. The effectiveness of the nonlinear static methods is evaluated in terms of absolute and interstorey displacements.