Seismic response analysis of low-rise buildings designed according to the NBCC 1990

An earthquake of magnitude 5.7 occurred in the Saguenay region of the province of Quebec, Canada, on November 25, 1988. Although no loss of life or severe structural damages were caused by this earthquake the poor performance of unreinforced masonry and structures with 'tension-only' cross-bracing were reported by a site visit team.This thesis presents some of the important engineering characteristics of the 1988 Saguenay earthquake. Comparisons are made in terms of elastic and inelastic response spectra for the lateral forces to be considered for the seismic response analysis of short-period structural systems. In particular, the seismic response of a low-rise braced steel building designed according to the National Building Code of Canada is investigated in both the elastic and inelastic range.The code-suggested equivalent lateral force method for short-period structures with a substantial strength-reduction factor does not provide a rational control of structural damage that can be expected from seismic excitation in Eastern Canada. The use of a period-dependent strength reduction factor applied to the elastic strength demand for short-period structures is proposed to take advantage of the inelastic energy dissipation capacity for this type of system on a more rational basis