prEN 1998-1:2003 (E)

4 DESIGN OF BUILDINGS

4.1 General

4.1.1 Scope

( 1)P Section 4 contains general rules for the earthquake-resistant design of buildings
and shall be used in conjunction with Sections 2, 3 and 5 to 9.

(2) Sections 5 to 9 are concemed with specific rules for various materials and
elements used in buildings.

(3) Guidance on base-isolated buildings is given in Section 10.

4.2 Characteristics of earthquake resistant buildings

4.2.1 Basic principles of conceptual design

( 1)P In seismic regions the aspect of seismic hazard shall be taken into account in the
early stages of the conceptual design of a building, thus enabling the achievement of a
structural system which, within acceptable costs, satisfies the fundamental requirements
specified in 2.1.

(2) The guiding principles goveming this conceptual design are:

structural simplicity;
unifonnity, symmetry and redundancy;
- bi-directional resistance and stiffness;
- torsional resistance and stiffness;
- diaphragmatic behaviour at storey Ievel;
- adequate foundation.

These principles are further elaborated in the following subclauses.

4.2.1.1 Structural simplicity

(1) Structural simplicity, characterised by the existence of clear and direct paths for
the transmission of the seismic forces, is an important objective to be pursued, since the
modelling, analysis, dimensioning, cletailing and construction of simple structures are
subject to much less uncertainty ancl thus the prediction of its seismic behaviour is much
more reliable.

4.2.1.2 Uniformity, symmetry and redundancy

(1) Uniformity in plan is characterisecl by an even distribution of the structural

elements which allows short and direct transmission of the inertia forces created in the
distributed masses of the building. If necessary, uniformity may be realised by
subclivicling the entire building by seismic joints into dynamically indepenclent units,

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provided timt these joints are designed :1gainst pounding of the individual units il1
accordance with 4.4.2.7.

(2) Uniformity in the development of the structure along the height of the building
is also important, since it tends to eliminate the occurrence of sensitive zones where
concentrations of stress or !arge ductility demands might prematurely cause collapse.

(3) A close relationship between the distribution of masses and the distribution of
resistance and stiffness eliminates !arge eccentricities between mass and stiffness.

(4) If the building configuration is symmetrical or quasi-symmetrical, a symmetrical

Iayout of structural elements, which should be well-distributed in-plan, is appropriate
for the achievement ofuniformity.

(5) The use of evenly distributed structural elements increases redundancy and
allows a more favourable redistribution of action effects and widespread energy
dissipation across the entire structure. (
4.2.1.3 Bi-directional resistance and stiffness

(I )P Horizontal seismic motion is a bi-directional phenomenon and thus the building

stmcture shall be able to resist horizontal actions in any direction.

(2) To satisfY (l)P, the structural elements should be arranged in an orthogonal in-
plan structural pattern, ensuring similar resistance and stiffness characteristics in both
main directions.

(3) The choice of the stiffness characteristics of the structure, while attempting to
minimise the effects of the seismic action (taking into account its specific features at the
site) should also limit the development of excessive displacements that might lead to
either instabilities due to second order effects or excessive damages.

4.2.1.4 Torsional resistance and stiffness

(1) Besides lateral resistance and stiffness, building structures should possess
adequate torsional resistance and stiffness in order to limit the development of torsional
motions which tend to stress the different structural elements in a non-uniform way . In
this respect, arrangements in which the main elements resisting the seismic action are
distributed close to the periphery of the building present clear advantages.

4.2.1.5 Diaphragmatic behaviour at storey Ievel

(1) In buildings, floors (including the roof) play a very important roJe in the overall
seismic behaviour of the structure. They act as horizontal diaphragms that collect and
transmit the inertia forces to the vertical structural systems and ensure that those
systems act tagether in resisting the horizontal seismic action. The action of floors as
diaphragms is especially relevant in cases of complex and non-uniform Iayouts of the
vertical stmctural systems, or where systems with different horizontal deformability
characteristics are used tagether (e.g. in dual or mixed systems).

(2) Floor systems and the roof should be provided with in-plane stiffness and
resistance and with effective connection to the vertical structural systems. Particular

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care should be taken in cases of non-compact or very elongated in-plan shapes and in
cases of !arge floor openings, especially if the latter are located in the vicinity of the
main vertical structural elements, thus hineiering such effective connection between the
vertical and horizontal structure.

(3) Diaphragms should have sufficient in-plane stiffness for the distribution of
horizontal inertia forces to the ve1iical structural systems in accordance with the
assumptions of the analysis (e.g. rigiclity of the cliaphragm, see 4.3.1(4)), particularly
when there are significant changes in stiffness or offsets of vertical elements above and
below the diaphragm.

4.2.1.6 Adequate foundation

(1 )P With regard to the seismic action, the design and construction of the foundations
and of the connection to the superstructure shall ensure that the whole building is
subjected to a uniform seismic excitation.

(2) For struch1res composed of a discrete number of struch1ral walls, likely to differ
in width and stiffness, a rigid, box-type or cellular foundation, containing a foundation
slab and a cover slab should generally be chosen.

(3) For buildings with individual foundation elements (footings or piles), the use of
a foundation slab or tie-beams between these elements in both main directions IS
recommended, subject to the criteria and rules of EN 1998-5:2004, 5.4.1.2.

4.2.2 Primary and secondary seismic members

(1 )P A certain number of structural members ( e.g. beams and/or columns) may be

designated as "secondary" seismic members (or elements ), not forming part of the
seismic action resisting system of the building. The strength and stiffness of these
elements against seismic actions shall be neglected. They do not need to conform to the
requirements of Sections 5 to 9. Nonetheless these members and their Connections shall
be designed and detailed to maintain support of gravity loading when subjected to the
displacements caused by the most unfavourable seismic design condition. Due
allowance of 2 11 d orcler effects (P-.6.. effects) should be made in the design of these
members.

(2) Sections 5 to 9 give rules, in addition to those of EN 1992, EN 1993, EN 1994,

EN 1995 and EN 1996, for the design and detailing of secondary seismic elements.

(3) All stmctural members not designatecl as being secondary seismic members are
taken as being primary seismic members. They are taken as being pmi of the lateral
force resisting system, shoulcl be modellecl in the struch1ral analysis in accordance with
4.3.1 ancl designecl ancl detailed for earthquake resistance in accordance with the rules of
Sections 5 to 9.

(4) The total contribution to lateral stiffness of all secondary se1smtc members
shoulcl not exceecl 15% ofthat of all primary seismic members.

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(5) The designation of some ;;tructural elements as secondary seismic members i-:
not allowed to change the classification of the structure from non-regular to regtdar as
described in 4.2.3.

4.2.3 Criteria for structural regularity

4.2.3.1 General

( 1)P F or the purpose of seismic design, building structures are categorised into being
regular or non-regular.

NOTE In building structures consisting of more than one dynamically independent units, the
categorisation and the relevant criteria in 4.2.3 refcr to thc individual dynamically independcnt
units. In such structures, "individual dynamically indepcndcnt unit" is mcant for "building" in
4.2.3.

(2) This distinction has implications for the following aspects of the seismic design:
the structural model, which can be either a simplified planar model or a spatial
(
model;
the method of analysis, which can be either a simplified response spectrum analysis
(lateral force procedure) or a modal one;
the value of the behaviour factor q, which shall be decreased for buildings
non-regular in elevation (see 4.2.3.3).

(3)P With regard to the implications of structural regularity on analysis and design,
separate consideration is given to the regularity characteristics of the building in plan
and in elevation (Table 4.1 ).

Table 4.1: Consequences of structural regularity on seismic analysis and design

Regularity Allowed Simplification Behaviour factor

Plan Elevation Model Linear-elastic Analysis (for linear analysis)
Yes Yes Planar Lateral force" Reference value
(
Yes No Planar Modal Decreased value
No Yes Spatialb Lateral force" Reference value
No No Spatial Modal Decreased value
a If thc condition of 4.3.3.2.1(2)a) is also met.
b Under the specific conditions given in 4.3.3.1(8) aseparate planar modelmay be used in each horizontal
direction, in accordance with 4.3.3.1 (8).

(4) Criteria describing regularity in plan and in elevation are given in 4.2.3.2 and
4.2.3.3. Rules concerning modelling and analysis are given in 4.3.

(5)P The regularity criteria given in 4.2.3.2 and 4.2.3.3 shoulcl be taken as necessary
conditions. lt shall be verified that the assumed regularit

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(7) For non-regtdar in elevation buildings the decreased values of the behaviour
factor are given by the reference values multiplied by 0,8.

4.2.3.2 Criteria for regularity in plan

( 1)P F or a building to be categorised as being regtdar in plan, it shall satisfy all the
conditions listed in the following paragraphs.

(2) With respect to the lateral stiffness and mass distribution, the building structure
shall be approximately symmetrical in plan with respect to two orthogonal axes.

(3) The plan configuration shall be compact, i.e., each floor shall be delimited by a
polygonal convex line. lf in plan set-backs (re-entrant comers or edge recesses) exist,
regularity in plan may still be considered as being satisfied, provided that these set-
backs do not affect the floor in-plan stiffness and that, for each set-back, the area
between the outline of the floor and a convex polygonal line enveloping the floor does
not exceed 5% ofthe floor area.

(4) The in-plan stiffness of the floors shall be sufficiently !arge in comparison with
the lateral stiffness of the vertical structural elements, so that the deformation of the
floor shall have a small effect on the distribution of the forces among the vertical
structural elements. In this respect, the L, C, H, I, and X plan shapes should be carefully
examined, notably as concems the stiffness of the lateral branches, which should be
comparable to that of the central part, in order to satisfy the rigid diaphragm condition.
The application of this paragraph should be considered for the global behaviour of the
building.

(5) The slendemess A = LmaxiLmin of the building in plan shall be not higher than 4,
where Lmax and Lmin are respectively the !arger and smaller in plan dimension of the
building, measured in orthogonal directions.

(6) At each Ievel and for each direction of analysis x and y, the structural
eccentricity e0 and the torsional radius r shall be in accordance with the two conditions
below, which are expressed for the direction of analysis y:

(4.la)

(4.1 b)

where
eox is the distance between the centre of stiffness and the centre of mass, measured
along the x clirection, which is normal to the direction of analysis considered;
rx is the square root of the ratio of the torsional stiffness to the lateral stiffness in
the y direction ("torsional radius"); and
ls is the raclius of gyration of the floor mass in plan (square root of the ratio of (a)
the polar moment of inertia of the floor mass in plan with respect to the centre of
mass ofthe floor to (b) the floor mass).

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Tbe definitions of centre of stiffness and torsional radius rare provided in (7) to (9) of
this subclause .

(7) In single storey buildings the centre of stiffness is defined as the centre of the
lateral stiffness of all primary seismic members. The torsional radius r is defined as the
square root of the ratio of the global torsional stiffness with respect to the centre of
lateral stiffness, and the global lateral stiffness, in one direction, taking into account all
ofthe primary seismic members in this direction.

(8) In multi-storey buildings only approximate definitions of the centre of stiffness

and of the torsional radius are possible. A simplified definition, for the classification of
structural regularity in plan and for the approximate analysis of torsional effects, is
possible ifthe following two conditions are satisfied:

a) all lateral Ioad resisting systems, such as cores, structural walls, or frames, run
without interruption from the foundations to the top of the building;
(
b) the deflected shapes of the individual systems under horizontal Ioads are not very
different. This condition may be considered satisfied in the case of frame systems and
wall systems. In general, this condition is not satisfied in dual systems.
NOTE The National Annex can include referencc to documents that might provide dcfinitions of
thc centre of stiffncss and of the torsional radius in multi-storey buildings, both for those that
meet thc conditions (a) and (b) ofparagraph (8), and for those that do not.

(9) In frames and in systems of slender walls with prevailing flexural deformations,
the position of the centres of stiffness and the torsional radius of all storeys may be
calculated as those of the moments of inertia of the cross-sections of the vertical
elements. lf, in addition to flexural deformations, shear deformations are also
significant, they may be accounted for by using an equivalent moment of inertia of the
cross-section.

4.2.3.3 Criteria for regularity in elevation

(1 )P For a building to be categorised as being regular in elevation, it shall satisfy all

the conditions listed in the following paragraphs. (
(2) Alllateralload resisting systems, such as cores, structural walls, or frames, shall
run without intermption from their foundations to the top of the building or, if setbacks
at different heights are present, to the top of the relevant zone of the building.

(3) Both the lateral stiffness and the mass of the individual storeys shall remain
constant or reduce gradually, without abrupt changes, from the base to the top of a
particular building.

(4) In framed buildings the ratio of the actual storey resistance to the resistance
required by the analysis should not vary disproportionately between adjacent storeys.
Within this context the special aspects of masonry infilled frames are treated in
4.3.6.3.2.

(5) When setbacks are present, the following additional conclitions apply:

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a) for gradual setbacks preserving axial symmetry, the setback at any floor shall be not
greater than 20 % of the previous plan climension in the direction of the setback (see
Figure 4.l.a ancl Figure 4.1.b);

b) for a single setback within the lower 15 % of the total height of the main structural
system, the setback shall be not greater than 50 % of the previous plan dimension (see
Figure 4.1.c). In this case the stmcture of the base zone within the vertically projectecl
perimeter of the upper storeys shoulcl be designed toresist at least 75% of the horizontal
shear forces that would develop in that zone in a similar building without the base
enlargement;

c) if the setbacks do not preserve symmetry, in each face the sum of the setbacks at all
storeys shall be not greater than 30 % of the plan dimension at the grouncl floor above
the foundation or above the top of a rigid basement, and the individual setbacks shall be
not greater than 10% of the previous plan dimension (see Figure 4.1.cl).

(b) (setback occurs above 0, 15H)

:r:
t~l5H
t----~·

-:r
r--L---1
Criterion for (a): L 1 - L 2 :.::;; 0,20 . . L, +L 1
LI Cntenon for (b ): J :.::;; 0,20
L
(c) (setback occurs below 0,15H) cl)

:r;

0,15 H
-!---+ L
r l
Criteria for (d): L- :.: ; 0,30
L
LI -L2 :.: ; 0,10
LI
Criterion for ( c ): L 3 + L 1 :.::;; 0,50
L

Figure 4.1: Criteria for regularity of buildings with setbacks

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