Influence of non-structural building parts on the collapse of spatial structures under wind or seismic forces

Non-structural building parts are taken in account to analyse spatial structures against horizontal dynamic forces as wind and specially earthquake. The behaviour of several models, including many of the building parts usually not considered as structure, has been compared against those composed only by proper structural elements. Non-structural elements were modelled considering the material properties and the real construction procedures. Every dynamic and non-linear-damaged analysis was performed using EFCiD® and Architrave®, two self-developed pieces of software.

Structural prototypes were subjected to wind and seismic loads. The sequential “history” of the structural behaviour showed the progressive influence of non-structural elements in stiffness and resistance. The results confirmed that a higher global stiffness improves the load-bearing capacity, but some interesting consequences of the dynamic resonance make it not as predictable as expected.