Damage estimation of low to medium rise reinforced concrete buildings considering vertical irregularity

In current study, Damage estimation is carried out using new methodology using parameters such as absorbed energy and degrading stiffness by pushover analysis. A new stiffness-based damage index is developed for each increasing step of pushover analysis, which takes into account the cumulative effects of increasing each lateral load and displacement. Non-cumulative absorbed energy-based damage index is calculated using the pushover curve's first maximal hysteretic cycle. These suggested methods can be utilised to quickly calculate the global damage index for low to medium rise vertical irregular buildings. The proposed two methods are evaluated using three regular and vertical irregular buildings considering various parameters such as varying heights, setback orientations, plastic hinges and monotonic loads. Furthermore, existing deformation and strength-based damage indices are used to calibrate the proposed damage indices. Both proposed damage indices may calculate damage index at any point on the pushover curve, however the damage indices are computed at different performance levels. The research based on damage index showed that two approaches for evaluating damage to irregular buildings are easy to use and accurate, Also, using the results of pushover analysis, structural designers may estimate the global damage index as a performance criterion in short period of time.