Simplified non-linear analyses for fast seismic assessment of rc frame structures: Review and proposal

When dealing with large scale seismic vulnerability assessment, usual FEM model based software cannot be a suitable choice to capture the lateral behaviour and seismic capacity of each of the several buildings located in that area. Approximate methods based on the fundamental of structural analysis could be more appropriate. They are practical due to their ease of use and capability to drive to results, even approximated, starting from few input data available. Therefore, they are especially suitable when the full knowledge of structural details cannot be available and the computational effort has to be strongly limited. This study presents the review of some simplified pushover methods available in the literature. Then a combined use of two approximate procedures, each addressed to a different aim, is proposed. These methods have been applied to RC frame structures, to preliminarily compare their effectiveness in simulating the “exact” results would come from a professional FEM structural software.