R C Frame Models: SIP Studies on Seismic Response

An application of the System Identification Parameters method to simulated earthquake tests of 10-story three-bay reinforced concrete frame models is presented. Brief descriptions of the frame models and simulated earthquake tests, as well as the System Identification Parameters method in general, are provided. Then a special System Identification Parameters scheme is formulated to determine the optimum apparent structural system (a omputer model) which will produce the response closest to the recorded response of a frame model when subjected to the same base motion. This is done by varying apparent damage ratios of the structural members through a nonlinear optimization routine. The comparative discussion of six case studies pointed out the need for more sensitivity studies before stable and dependable results can be produced by this method.