Response of two identical seven-story structures to the San Fernando earthquake of February 9, 1971

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4409565· OSTI ID:4409565

Freeman, S A; Honda, K K

The results of the structural dynamic investigation of two sevenstory reinforced concrete frame structures are presented here. The structures are both Holiday Inn rnotor hotels that are essentially identical: one is locrted about 13 miles and the other about 26 miles from the epicenter of the February 9, 1971, San Fernando earthquake. Appreciable nonstructural damage as well as some structural damage was observed. Strong-motion seismic records were obtained for the roof, intermediate story, and ground floor of each structure. The analyses are based on data from the structural drawings, architectural drawings, photographs, engineering reports, and seisrnogram records obtained before, during, and after the San Fernando earthquake. Both structures experienced motion well beyond the limits of the building code design criteria. A change in fundamental period was observed for each structure after several seconds of response to the earthquake, which indicated nonlinear response. The analyses indicated that the elastic capacity of some structural members was exceeded. Idealized linear models were constructed to approximate response at various time segments. A method for approximating the nonlinear response of each structure is presented. The effects of nonstructural elements, yielding beams, and column capacities are illustrated. Comparisons of the two buildings are made for ductility factors, dynarnic response characteristics, and damage. Conclusions are drawn concerning the effects of the earthquake on the structures and the future capacities of the structures. (auth)

• Research Organization: Blume (John A.) and Associates Research Div., San Francisco, Calif. (USA)
• NSA Number: NSA-29-002613
• OSTI ID: 4409565
• Report Number(s): JAB--99-98
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*BUILDINGS-- SEISMIC EFFECTS
*EARTHQUAKES-- SEISMIC WAVES
N42520* --Engineering--Nuclear Explosions--Civil Uses