Effects of Earthquake Intensities and Site Conditions on the Reliability of RC Frame Structures

This paper evaluates the effects of seismic zone factors and site coefficients on the seismic reliability of reinforced concrete frame structures. A nine-story intermediate moment-resisting frame structure is designed for four seismic zone factors and three site conditions. A reliability analysis method is then used to determine the annual collapse limit-state probability of these frame structures. We conclude that the seismic load factor should be derived for each seismic zone and for all soil conditions to establish reliability-based criteria for the seismic design of buildings.