Formulating building response to Earthquake loading

This paper presents a numerical method for the computation of building responses under earthquake loads using a simple closed-form equation, which takes into account the earthquake zone and the soil profile. The equation was developed using a power best fit regression using the response data of numerous buildings with different stiffness and heights; different earthquake zones; and different soil profiles. The closed-form equation can be used to compute the response of buildings at any desired level based on the building height, stiffness, earthquake zone, and soil profile. The response results, which were obtained using the closed-form response equation, were in close agreement with those obtained using the finite element program STAAD-PRO. The closed-form response equation was also able to accurately predict the actual top drift of the Bank of California building during San Fernando earthquake. The presented method represents a simple and practical tool for computing building responses in earthquake zones with different soil profile.