The influence of P-Δ effects on seismic response of RC framed structures

This paper shows results from a numerical investigation carried out in order to evaluate the influence of H order effects on seismic response of RC framed structures designed according to the Eurocode 8 specifications. The study, performed assuming hysteretic models characterized by different levels of accuracy, has revealed more significant effects induced by geometric nonlinearities in the case of systems subjected to relatively high plastic demands. In the presence of stiffness and strength cyclic deterioration, which affects seismic response of RC structures, P-A effects become significant, leading to amplification of interstorey drifts beyond the so-called 'operational' limit performance.