Seismic Behaviour of Buildings with Transfer Structures in Low-to- Moderate Seismicity Regions

A literature review has been conducted aimed at improving the general understanding of the seismic response of concrete buildings with transfer structures in low-to-moderate seismicity regions. This paper summarizes and discusses the existing codified requirements for transfer structure design under seismic conditions. Based on the previous shaking table test results and numerical findings, the seismic effects on the inelastic behaviours of transfer structures are investigated. The mechanisms for the formation of a soft storey below transfer floors, the abrupt change in inter-storey drift near transfer storeys and shear concentration due to local deformation of transfer structures are developed. Design principles have been established for controlling soft-storey type failure and minimizing shear concentration in exterior walls supported by transfer structures. The influence of the vertical positioning of transfer floors on the seismic response of buildings has also been reviewed.