Floor-Response-Spectrum-Based Methodology to Evaluate Non-Structural Walls in Light of the Insufficient Accuracy of Conventional Methods in Seismically Isolated Buildings in Lima

Hermoza R.I.; Rivera P.S.; Espinoza V.T. · International Conference on Civil, Structural and Transportation Engineering (2026) · DOI: 10.11159/iccste26.138

Resumen

The precise estimation of seismic accelerations in non-structural walls (NSW) of base-isolated buildings remains a challenge in highly seismic regions such as the coastal area of Lima, Peru. Although lead-rubber bearings (LRB) reduce the response of the superstructure, their effect on non-structural elements (NSE) requires an analysis through Floor Response Spectra (FRS), since each story of the building exhibits local acceleration amplifications. Through FRS, the dynamic interaction between the isolator and the superstructure is captured, providing a realistic estimation of the accelerations that actually act on the NSW. To achieve this, a Fast Nonlinear Analysis (FNA) is performed, which enables efficient response-history analysis by incorporating the nonlinearities of the isolation system without requiring the entire superstructure to be modeled nonlinearly. An isolated four-story reinforced concrete healthcare building designed according to codes E.030 and E.031 is evaluated. The research comprises seven stages, from isolator design to the estimation of accelerations on an NSW. The results show that accelerations increase with height and reach maximum values of 0.684 g, 0.389 g, and 0.588 g according to the E.030, E.031, and FRS approaches, respectively. Overall, equivalent-static methods underestimate the actual seismic demand in essential base-isolated buildings; therefore, the use of FRS provides a more accurate estimation of accelerations at each level, which should be considered in future code updates.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas