Seismic Performance Evaluation of RCC Building Resting on Slopping Land
Authors:-Ram Krishna Shrestha, Mukil Alagirisamy, Purushottam Dangol, Bijaya Ram Koju, Assistant Professor Om Prakash Giri
Abstract-Sloping terrain is a prevalent feature in many regions of Nepal, often necessitating the construction of buildings on uneven ground. These geographical conditions present unique challenges regarding seismic vulnerability and structural integrity. Buildings on sloping terrain are more challenging to design and construct due to the presence of powerful earthquake loads combined with the forces of the sliding slope itself. This conference paper presents a comprehensive study on the seismic performance of Reinforced Concrete (RCC) buildings situated on sloping land. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the seismic performance of RCC buildings resting on sloping ground. To achieve this objective, a Static Non-Linear Analysis, commonly known as Pushover Analysis, was carried out for building models with different ground slopes. Pushover Analysis is a method used to determine the potential seismic performance of a structure by subjecting it to a gradually increasing lateral load until it reaches a target displacement. This analysis helps in understanding the inelastic behaviour and collapse mechanisms of the structures under seismic loads. In addition to analysing buildings on sloping terrain, a comparative study was conducted between buildings on plain ground and those on sloping ground. The findings of this study indicate that the performance of buildings on plain surfaces is superior to those on sloping ground. The primary reason for this is the uniform distribution of forces and the absence of additional stresses caused by the slope. Among the various configurations of buildings on sloping ground, the study found that buildings constructed in a step-by-step back arrangement exhibit better consistency in seismic performance compared to other configurations. This arrangement helps in distributing the forces more evenly and reduces the occurrence of short columns, which are prone to early hinge mechanisms. As the slope angle increases, the formation of hinge mechanisms occurs earlier in short columns due to the increased stress and force concentration. This early hinge formation can lead to a significant reduction in the structural integrity and seismic performance of the building. In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of careful consideration of slope angles and building configurations in the design of RCC buildings on sloping terrain. By employing appropriate design strategies and conducting thorough seismic performance evaluations, the resilience of buildings in earthquake-prone regions like Nepal can be significantly enhanced.
