Role of higher-"mode" pushover analyses in seismic analysis of buildings

The role of higher-"mode" pushover analyses in seismic analysis of buildings is examined in this paper. It is demonstrated that the higher-"mode" pushover curves reveal plastic hinge mechanisms that are not detected by the first-"mode" or other FEMA-356 force distributions, but these purely local mechanisms are not likely to develop during realistic ground motions in an otherwise regular building without a soft and/or weak story. Furthermore, the conditions necessary for "reversal" of a higher-"mode" pushover curve are examined. It is shown that "reversal" in a higher-"mode" pushover curve occurs after formation of a mechanism if the resultant force above the bottom of the mechanism is in the direction that moves the roof in a direction opposite to that prior to formation of the mechanism. Such "reversal" can occur only in higher-"mode" pushover analyses but not in the pushover analyses for the first-"mode" or other FEMA-356 force distributions. However, the "reversal" in higher-"mode" pushover curves was found to be very rare in several recent investigations that examined behavior of many moment-resisting frame buildings. Included are guidelines for implementing the Modal Pushover Analysis for buildings that display "reversal" in a higher-"mode" pushover curve.