Code recommendations for the aseismic design of tall reinforced concrete chimneys

This paper presents results of recent experimental tests which indicate that reinforced concrete chimneys possess some ductilty when subject to cyclic loads. Based on these tests an inelastic procedure has been established for assessing the performance of reinforced concrete chimneys subject to severe earthquake ground shaking. This procedure has been used to; analyse a number of chimneys, develop design recommendations and establish appropriate ductility factors. In addition, a 245 metre tall chimney designed using these recommendations is compared on a cost and performance basis with designs undertaken using a number of International chimney codes of practice