A Displacement-Focused Seismic Design of Mixed Building Systems

A postulated prediction of displacements in ductile reinforced concrete building systems is based on a redefinition of basic structural properties. Contrary to the ability of traditional techniques, the proposed approach permits displacement limits, relevant to ductile mixed systems, i.e., those with markedly differing components, to be established before details, such as strengths, are addressed. This should lead to significant benefits at the stage of preliminary design. Acceptable displacement limits, associated with currently introduced direct displacement-based seismic design strategies, can be readily and simply established. Similarly, limits of displacement ductility demands on components and the system, associated with current force-based approaches, can be estimated already as part of the preliminary design.