Correlation of Deformation Demands with Ground Motion Intensity

A comprehensive study has been carried out to investigate the correlation between maximum interstory drift demand of frame structures and a number of widely used ground motion intensity parameters. Nonlinear time–history analyses of 16 reinforced concrete frames were performed under a set of 80 ground motion records. The frames were selected to represent features of typical low- to mid-rise reinforced concrete structures. The records contained in the ground motion database were compiled from recorded ground motions with the intention to represent a wide range of seismic forces that impose various degrees of elastic as well as inelastic response of the frames. The maximum interstory drift ratios computed were compared with the ground motion intensity parameters employed and correlations between them were investigated through coefficients of correlation and determination. The results revealed that spectrum intensity parameters, having the strongest correlation, are superior to other parameters such as peak ground velocity, peak ground acceleration, and spectral acceleration.