Mar. 2014, Volume 8, No. 3 (Serial No. 76), pp.

268-275
Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, ISSN 1934-7359, USA
D DAVID PUBLISHING

The Role of Architectural Considerations in Seismic

Performance of Buildings: A Case Study in Iran

Babak Omidvar, Alireza Sadeghian and Mehdi Nojavan

Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran 11369, Iran

Abstract: Experience from recent earthquakes such as Gilan, Zanjan, Bam and Lorestan earthquakes in Iran indicated that the
constructed buildings are vulnerable against earthquake. Vulnerability of these structures is due to various reasons such as designing
without considering seismic regulations, problems of regulations (design goals), implementation problems, changing of the building
occupancy class, increasing the weight of building stories, adding new stories to the building and changing in architecture of
building without considering structural system. So the main objective of this research is to examine the features of building
configuration and their effects as for the damages to buildings in past earthquakes. For this purpose, initially four occurred
earthquakes in Iran are selected as case study. Then three types of buildings (steel structure, concrete structure and masonry
buildings) are analyzed with details. Results showed that the most of damages are occurred in the old steel structures and masonry
buildings which their ages are more than 25 years. The study showed that most of the buildings in the study area are steel structure
and masonry buildings while concrete structures are infrequent which most of them had no or slight damages. Therefore, the
importance and need to enhance the performance of available buildings against earthquake forces by rehabilitating methods would be
more important than before. Also results indicated that the decisions related to architectural plan which have significant effect on seismic
performance of buildings, can be divided into three categories: configuration of building, restrictive formal architectural plan and
dangerous structural components, as these categories are not obstacle of each other, it is possible that each category has an influential
effect on others. So organizing the design decisions in this way is very important so as to manage their effects and interdependencies.

Key words: Structural plan, architectural plan, seismic performance, building configuration.

1. Introduction Secondly, there is the ability of the various parts of

the building to resist these forces. Thirdly, there are
Buildings built over the last years in Iran, are
those aspects of construction, which are rarely
considered the most serious problems in risk and
mentioned at all, non-structural or architectural
vulnerability assessment of cities and villages. Given
aspects of building, non-load bearing walls and
the recent earthquakes in areas such as Bam and
finishes [1]. Although the criteria to provide resistance
Lorestan and status of building, there is a risk of
against earthquake are met through structures, the
injury in many existing buildings. Given that it is
related architectural plan will play an important role in
impossible to prevent earthquakes, it is necessary to
determining the earthquake performance of buildings.
minimize damages by retrofitting of existing
Damage to the architectural elements, during an
vulnerable structure. The earthquake resistance of
earthquake could cause major economic losses even
buildings depends upon three quite different processes
with minor structural damage [2]. So, the architect
in design [1]. There is the overall layout of the
should produce the seismic design of structure as
building which determines the magnitude of the forces
effective as possible. The structure should meet the
which come onto the building and their distribution.
functional and aesthetic goals of the building as well.
Architectural plan decisions which affect the seismic
Corresponding author: Mehdi Nojavan, Ph.D., research
fields: natural disasters planning and management, loss performance of building are divided into three
estimation and risk assessment. E-mail: categories, building configuration, restrictive
[email protected].
 The Role of Architectural Considerations in Seismic Performance of Buildings: A Case Study in Iran 269

architectural plan of seismic issues, dangerous configuration plays an important role in determining
structural components. distribution of seismic forces over the building and
The term build configuration refers to the size, form also affects the relative size of these forces. For a
and three-dimensional shape of the building. It also given ground motion, the important determinant of the
includes the location, approximate size and shape of size of inertial forces is building’s mass. The size and
structural components because these cases are shape of the building (along with materials chosen)
normally characterized by the concept of architecture. determine the mass, and the plan determines area and
Also, the concept of building or its conceptual scheme, volume. By plan, we mean a list of spaces, activities
are used inaccurately to determine the configuration. and facilities needed for the building. However, for
To be precise, building configuration only refers to its any given plan, different configurations may render a
geometrical characteristics. Restrictive architectural solution and they are the variables of these
plan of seismic issues also refers to the details of configurations which affect the distribution of inertia
architectural plan such as columns or walls which forces caused by earthquakes. Therefore, the
could affect structural details in a way that does not discussion of the impact of configuration on seismic
allow for a good seismic design. Dangerous structural performance, leads to the identification of those
components means that if these components are variables that affect the distribution of inertia forces.
designed inappropriately against seismic forces, they These variables indicate irregularities or deviation
may themselves endanger the life. Additionally, they from regular configuration, which in clash with lateral
may be among the main reasons of loss of property forces, are optimal or ideal. An ideal seismic design
and injury to necessary facilities and other services which in terms of architecture provides a utile
may result in buildings not functioning properly. For configuration should have the following features: low
our purposes, we could define building configuration ratio of height to width, moderate resistance,
as size and shape: The shape of building is composed homogenous view and cross-section, maximum
of nature, size and status of structural components. torsional strength (due to the location of shear walls
We need such a generalized definition of building and bracings), short spans, direct load path and same
configuration because there is a complicated height floors.
relationship among the seismic function of all these The question is why these models cannot be used in
components. all buildings and why it is necessary to make changes
The nature, size and status of non-structural in configurations that may be detrimental to seismic
components which could affect the structural function performance of buildings. The answer to this question
of building or components which are important lies in combining functional requirements and
themselves, could be a part of initial concept of creativity. There are times that functional
building or to be added to later on. requirements imposed a certain configuration which is
The purpose of this article is to examine the less than ideal in terms of seismic activity. Our taste
features of building configuration and their effects as and our need to diversity in environmental
for the damages to buildings in past earthquakes. construction, make a so different place of a city made
up only of ideal configurations. But in case of
2. General Effect of Building Configuration
irregular buildings, there is no quantitative basis for
One of the most important factors that determines determining the relative importance of a certain
the extent of damage during an earthquake is the irregularity.
shape and configuration of the building [3]. Building A good review of past earthquakes shows that
270 The Role of Architectural Considerations in Seismic Performance of Buildings: A Case Study in Iran

irregularities are often related to configuration. methods are proposed. The first one is to use framed
Therefore, issues of architectural considerations can structures with nearly the same strength and stiffness
be classified into the four following categories: plan for the entire perimeter of the building.
configuration issues, vertical configuration issues,
structures limiting architectural details and problem of
adjacent floors.

3. Problems of Plan Configuration

3.1 Depressed Corners

Depressed corner is a common feature of all

building configurations and can be seen in the plan in
forms of L, T, H, + or a combination of them. There
are two related problems that are caused by these
forms. The first problem is that these kinds of
buildings change the stiffness, hence, the relative Fig. 1 Local stress concentration in the corner, Qeshm
motions between different parts of the building lead to earthquake [6].
local stress concentration in depressed corner (Fig. 1)
[3, 4]. The second problem is about torsion. The
problem arises because in this figure, center of mass
and center of rigidity do not match geometrically for
all possible earthquake directions (Fig. 2).
To deal with this problem, there are two basic
solutions. Separating the building structurally in
simple ways, and fastening buildings firmly to each
other in the area of stress concentration lines and
using durable components to reduce torsion.

3.2 Perimeter Stiffness Changes

Increased rigidity in building’s perimeter increases

the resistance against earthquake-caused torsion. If
different changes are seen in perimeter stiffness, then
the center of mass and center of stiffness would not
match and torsional forces cause the building rotates
around its stiffness center. This problem could be seen
even in buildings with simple and symmetric
appearance (Fig. 3). The weaknesses of open-front
designs have been discussed by Degenkolb in 1977
[5].
To deal with this problem, the chance of torsion
should be reduced and the stiffness of building’s Fig. 2 Hospital building demolish because of depressed
perimeter should be uniformed. To this end, three corner (photo by researcher).
 The Role of Architectural Considerations in Seismic Performance of Buildings: A Case Study in Iran 271

the building are more flexible than wider parts and

this leads to torsion. A good example of this is a
triangle or wedge-shaped building which is the result
of street intersection at a steep angle. Therefore, to
reduce the effect of torsion we need to pay special
attention. Generally, opaque walls should be designed
as frames covered with lightweight materials so that
the difference of stiffness between this wall and other
parts of the structure reduces. To increase the torsional
strength of the narrower parts of building, certain
design solutions could be rendered in other ways,
though its realization is in conflict with preserving the
desired open views or internal spaces.

3.4 Diaphragm Configuration

Diaphragm configuration refers to the shape and

arrangement of horizontal resistant components which
transmit forces between the vertical resistant parts [4].
Diaphragms function as a horizontal pole. The
diaphragm is the pole itself and its edges are the
pole’s wings. Diaphragm’s opening and geometrical
irregularities similar to those seen in other
components lead to torsion and concentration of
stresses (Fig. 5).
Three methods are proposed to deal with this
Fig. 3 Open space around the buildings, Bam earthquake
problem:
(photo by researcher). • Preventing the interference of openings with
connection of diaphragms to walls or frames;
The second method is to increase the rigidity of
open views through adding shear walls. The third
solution is using braced frames in open front part
which function as rigid walls. Certainly the feasibility
of the last method depends on size of openings.

3.3 Unparallel Systems

If components of resistance to vertical load are

unparallel with main orthogonal axes of the lateral
load resisting system, or are not symmetric around
them, there would be a non-parallel system which
increase the probability of existence of torsion forces,
because the center of mass and center of stiffness do
not match (Fig. 4). Furthermore, the narrower parts of Fig. 4 Unparallel system, Bam earthquake [7].
272 The Role of Architectural Considerations in Seismic Performance of Buildings: A Case Study in Iran

Fig. 5 Total destruction because of opening in diaphragm,

Zarand Earthquake [8].

• Putting openings at suitable intervals to provide

enough rigidity for diaphragm;
• Preventing the disconnection of collectors and
diaphragms’ tension members through openings.

4. Problems of Vertical Configuration

Problems that may arise in connection with vertical
configuration could be categorized as follows.

4.1 Soft and Weak Stories

Soft and weak story is a story, far less stiff or Fig. 6 Demolition of Kimia building because of the first
resistant than the immediate stories above it [9]. When soft story and short half-story column, Bam earthquake
(photo by the researcher).
the first story is a soft one, the most critical situation
will arise, because at this level loads are the heaviest. • Discontinuous load paths are created due to
The main feature of the first soft story is changes in the vertical and horizontal structure in the
discontinuities in stiffness which happens in the second story.
second story’s connection (Fig. 6).
4.2 Columns, Changes in Stiffness, Strong Beams
Generally, it could be said that problems associated
Weak Columns
with soft story result from four main situations:
• In structures that the first story is too higher than Here the use of columns with different stiffness in
the upper stories, the first story will be less rigid and one story is discussed. Seismic load is distributed in
with more deflection; proportion to the stiffness of resistant components.
• Sudden change of stiffness in the second story, Therefore, in case of any change in the stiffness of
even when all stories are of the same height; bearing columns (or walls), the more stiff columns
• Using a discontinuous shear wall, where walls that (which are usually shorter), absorb more forces. The
do not extend to the foundation, bear shear forces but point is that rigidity (and therefore force) change
these walls are stopped at the level of the second floor almost according to the third power of the columns’
and create a situation similar to the second situation; length. Therefore, the short columns that support a
 The Role of Architectural Considerations in Seismic Performance of Buildings: A Case Study in Iran 273

story absorb the most force exerted to that story and as solutions for set-backs problems are similar to
a result, there is a probability of rupture. It is usually solutions for its horizontal opposite, i.e., indented
possible that such an arrangement involves deep and corners in plan. To avoid any problem, there should
rigid beams which result to a considerable weaker be a complete separation in the plan so that, different
performance of columns (Fig. 7). Such a design is in
conflict with basic principles of seismic design, which
strives to design structures so that under severe
earthquake forces, plastic hinge develop in beams
sooner than columns. Combination of columns with
different level of stiffness in different views may lead
to torsion. The root of change in stiffness along the
column is architectural consideration. Building on
hillside, filling parts of the frames with non-structural
but hard material to make long strips of windows,
making some of the columns more rigid by
Fig. 7 Building’s damage because of weak
constructing a half-story or attic while other parts column—strong beam, Bam earthquake [7].
remain with an uncontrolled full height are among the
main issues.
The general solution, is matching seismic design
details with architectural requirements. By ensuring
that deep perimeter beams have been separated from
columns, weak column-strong beam would be
avoidable. This way, length of columns around a view
could be roughly equal or we can use horizontal brace
to equalize the stiffness of a set of columns that are
variable in height. Heavy non-structural walls should
be separated from columns to ensure that
short-column situation will not be created.

4.3 Vertical Set-Backs

Vertical set-backs are horizontal deflection in the

external wall of the structure. The main problem of
this type of buildings is the sudden change in stiffness
and strength such a complex configuration will likely
cause a problem in recess axis (Fig. 8). This
configuration can also be thought of as a vertical
indented corner.
Although set-back usually occur in a single
building, it may also occur as a result of connecting
building with different heights that do not have Fig. 8 Damage of building’s mound, Bam earthquake
enough seismic isolation. Generally, conceptual (photo by the researcher).
274 The Role of Architectural Considerations in Seismic Performance of Buildings: A Case Study in Iran

parts of the building react independently. Otherwise,

the set-backs should be arranged in a way to match the
size of typical openings.

5. Structure’s Limiting Architectural Details

The term “structure’s limiting architectural
details” refers to the detailed design of detailed
architecture of a component or connection which
prevents the use of a good seismic design in
designing the structure. This represents a very small
sample of general issues related to building
configuration. Architectural details may create
dimensional or spatial constraints in structural design Fig. 9 Silakhor earthquake [10].
which lead to weakness or eccentricity of forces and
6. Problems of Adjacency (Hitting)
this consequently results in tension concentration or
local torsion. In beam-column connections which are Pounding refers to the damage occurs as a result of
under a heavy tension, but are considered an collision between two buildings or different parts of a
important element in building aesthetic design, the single building. The probability of hitting is a function
above mentioned problem becomes more critical. of lateral displacement of adjacent buildings (or parts
Structural details provide ideally direct load transfer of a single building). Lateral displacement is
and minimum local eccentricity. Architectural details calculated by applying forces to the building
may lead to inappropriate sizes and discontinuous or regulation plan. Because the estimated forces are less
eccentric load path. This problem is particularly than the amount that actually occurs, the estimated
important in reinforced concrete structures in which lateral displacement should be corrected to obtain a
architectural details may provide insufficient space more realistic estimation of building displacement. In
for appropriate rebar establishment (Fig. 9). Detailed other words, lateral displacement could be estimated
design is an important element in architecture. more carefully by considering all the predicted
Design of environmental beam-column connection, factors. Pounding is usually discussed in configuration
for example, may induce horizontal, vertical or section, because it depends on the location of
neutral focus in a building. However, it is possible building’s establishment compared to other structures
that the architect could not understand the structural and it is an initial decision of architecture. This leads
necessity of these changes. Another example is the to important architectural implications for building
use of cross-section incremental changes or creating construction in dense urban areas because in
indent in columns. Architects create indent mostly to worst-case scenarios, it will result in isolation of large
emphasize on the line where materials are separated, buildings and thus significant loss of usable space. It
particularly when materials are of different kinds or is unrealistic to assume the lateral displacement
intersect each other at right angle. The architect and according to regulations is precise but realistic
building engineer need to have close cooperation to estimations may provide very large numbers as for the
insure that architectural details will not lead to worst case scenario. A solution to this problem is to
development of inappropriate constraints in structure determine the required distance as the total lateral
design. displacements which are calculated for each building
 The Role of Architectural Considerations in Seismic Performance of Buildings: A Case Study in Iran 275

separately. This calculation is based on the fact that structural components. None of them omit the other
displacement growth in each floor is equal to the yield and each category may affect the two others.
point of that same floor and arbitrarily the yield Therefore, decision making in this way is useful to
displacements of two lower floors are increased to two clarify their effects and interaction.
times [11]. Another solution, mentioned in old bylaws,
References
is that seam discontinuity must be one inch plus
one-second inch for 10 feet height in 20 feet height [1] H. Arbabian, The role of architects in seismic design:
What we can learn from traditional construction, in:
and above [5]. Another possible solution is placing
International Conference on the Seismic Performance of
energy-absorbing materials between buildings. Traditional Buildings in Istanbul, Turkey, 2007.
[2] J.L. Lagorio, Earthquakes: An Architect’s Guide to
7. Conclusions Nonstructural Seismic Hazards, John Wiley & Sons, New
York, 1990.
In this paper, the role of architectural considerations
[3] F.M. Saradj, Seismic issues in the design the process: The
in seismic performance of buildings is studied. The role of architect in seismic safety issues in design process,
results showed that seismic design is a shared International Journal of Engineering Science 19 (6) (2008)
responsibility between the architect and structural 9-20.
[4] Lorant Group, Seismic Design Principles,
engineer which stems from the physical relationship
http://www.wbdg.org/design/seismic_design.php/ (accessed
between architectural forms and structural systems Mar. 15, 2012).
and though the regulations of providing seismic [5] H. Degenkolb, Seismic Design: Structural Concepts,
resistance will be realized through structure, the Summer Seismic Institute for Architectural Faculty, AIA
Research Corp, Washington, 1977.
architectural plan and decisions which develop that,
[6] ISNA (Iranian Students’ News Agency), 2005,
plays an important role in determining the http://www.isna.ir/ (accessed Dec. 21, 2012).
performance of buildings against earthquakes. [7] IIEES (International Institute of Earthquake Engineering
Relationship between architecture and engineering and Seismology), Bam earthquake report, Tehran, Iran,
problems requires that the architect and structure 2003.
[8] IIEES (International Institute of Earthquake Engineering
engineer cooperate with each other from the beginning
and Seismology), Preliminary report of Dahouiyeh
of a project. However, for reasons of economy, culture (Zarand-Kerman) Earthquake Identification Group:
and taste, such cooperation does not happen often and Behavior and Performance of Buildings, Tehran, Iran,
we experience considerable problems in buildings’ 2003.
[9] J. Ambrose, D. Vergun, Design for Earthquakes, John
structural performance which may result in disasters
Wiley & Sons, New York, 1999.
which is observed clearly in the study area especially [10] IIEES (International Institute of Earthquake Engineering
in the masonry buildings. The results also showed that and Seismology), Darbe Astaneh Silakhor Earthquake,
architectural plan decisions, which affect seismic Earthquake identification report, Tehran, Iran, Mar. 31,
2006.
performance of buildings, are divided into three
[11] J.A. Blume, N.M. Newmark, L.H. Corning, Design of
categories: (1) building configuration; (2) restrictive Multistory Concrete Buildings for Earthquake Motions,
architectural plan of seismic issues; (3) dangerous Port-land Cement Assoc., Skokie, IL, 1961.