Numerical interpretation of the effect of wave propagation procedure on the seismic response of high-rise buildings

A numerical interpretation of the basic physics of wave propagation through tall structures is presented. The main purpose of the thesis is to numerically investigate the impact of seismic wave propagation on the dynamic response of high rise buildings. The specified goal is achieved by two key steps as follows: (1) the selection and scaling of the wave, and (2) the selection of the high rise structural model. The selection and scaling of the horizontal seismic component has been addressed in detail, meanwhile the selection and scaling of vertical seismic ground motion has been less of a concern. Therefore, as part of the conducted work herein, the scaling factor of vertical ground motion has been evaluated for different ground motion parameters and using a nonlinear regression analysis, a power equation is proposed to scale the vertical seismic ground motion. To visualize the essential physics of wave propagation phenomenon, two idealized models as a continuous mega column and a discrete core wall of 300m height each are proposed. A half sine pulse like wave is applied as a transverse wave as well as a compression wave which is supposed to propagate along the height of the considered models. The reliability of the nonlinear design and analysis packages to accurately detect the physics of wave propagation phenomenon is approved. Thereafter, the impact of earthquake wave propagation on the dynamic response of a 46 story high-rise building with a core shear wall and a frame system is investigated in transverse as well as the longitudinal directions. The axial force, shear force, bending moment, and the inter-story drift are evaluated considering wave propagation and ignoring it. It is possible to categorize the studies in three main groups as (1) Scaling of the vertical component of seismic ground motion, (2) Numerical interpretation of wave propagation in high-rise structures. (3) Investigate the efficiency of Rayleigh damping model for the higher mode shapes considering the wave propagation procedure for high rise buildings. The pure impact of considering wave propagation procedure on the dynamic response of high rise buildings has been addressed as well. The more important is to scrutinize the modeling process and the consideration of wave propagation phenomenon; and to investigate the challenges that may be encountered within this type of analysis procedure.