The nonlinear response of some multistory reinforced and prestressed concrete structures subjected to earthquake excitation

The nonlinear dynamic responses of two reinforced and six prestressed concrete versions of a twenty story frame structure to a strong earthquake are found, using a step-by-step integration technique. A special model beam is used to represent the concrete members. The effects of different member properties, different amounts of hysteretic damping, and two different viscous damping mechanisms on response and energy dissipation are compared. The prestressed concrete structures have higher lateral displacements and inter-story drifts, but lower ductility requirements, and the comparative results suggest that a prestressed structure of the type analyzed could withstand a strong earthquake.