A spectral-acceleration-based combination-type earthquake intensity measure for high-rise stack-like structures

Ground motion intensity measures are of great importance for the seismic design of structures. A well-chosen intensity measure will reduce the detailed ground motion record selection effort for the nonlinear dynamic structural analyses. In this article, a spectral-acceleration-based combination-type earthquake intensity measure is presented. This intensity measure considers the higher modes effect and period elongation effect due to nonlinear deformation at the same time. The modal mass participation factors are determined to take weighting coefficients and the product of elastic first-mode period T-1 and a constant C is expressed to represent the elongated period. Therefore, the proposed intensity measure is a combination of earthquake ground motion characteristics, elastic structural responses, higher modes participation, and the period elongation effect due to inelastic structural behaviors. Four three-dimensional models of reinforced concrete stack-like structures including a 240 m-high chimney, a 180 m-high chimney, a 120 m-high chimney, and a 42.3 m-high water tower are established and analyzed in ABAQUS to investigate the correlation between the intensity measure and the maximum curvatures under 44 far-field ground motions and 28 near-fault ground motions with a pulse-like effect. With the optimal vibration modes and the proper period elongation coefficient, the efficiency of the introduced intensity measure is compared with the other 15 intensity measures. The results indicate that the proposed intensity measure is believed to be a good choice for high-rise stack-like structures, especially under the near-fault ground motions with pulse-like effect.