Assessment of seismic acceleration demands on nonstructural components in moderately ductile RC frame buildings designed according to NBC 2015

This paper presents an extensive investigation of the seismic demands on acceleration-sensitive nonstructural components (NSCs) attached to reinforced concrete moment-resisting frame buildings with limited ductility and designed according to the National Building Code of Canada. A total of four benchmark structures with varying heights are considered in this study. Linear and nonlinear time-history analyses were performed using artificial ground motions compatible with Montreal site Class C uniform hazard spectra having 2% and 10% probabilities of being exceeded in 50 years. Seismic acceleration demands on NSCs were evaluated by assessing the horizontal height factor Ax, the component dynamic amplification factor Ar, and the component force factor Sp compared with various building code provisions. The overall acceleration demands of NSCs are discussed, and a corresponding optimized Sp profile is proposed to improve the estimation of the seismic force demands on NSCs at the rooftops of buildings located in moderate seismic zones.