An energy-based procedure for the assessment of seismic capacity of existing frames: Application to RC wide beam systems in Spain

A methodology for assessing the seismic capacity of existing frames in terms of energy is proposed. It estimates the global amount of input energy—in form of a factor AEIU—and hysteretic energy that the overall structure can dissipate until collapse under earthquake-type loadings. The method requires static pushover analyses to determine the ductility factor and energy shape of an equivalent single-degree-of-freedom system for the first—two or more—modes. The procedure accounts for the relation between the frequency content of the earthquake expected at the site and the dynamic properties of the existing structure. It can be useful for evaluating the possible deficit on energy dissipation capacity of existing structures, and for designing seismic retrofit solutions. Finally, the methodology is applied to reinforced concrete frames with wide beam-column connections representative of existing post-1970 buildings located in the earthquake-prone southern part of Spain.