Taxonomy Parameters

1. Main structural system
RC2

- Buildings constructed of a reinforced concrete moment resisting frame
- In-fill walls as stiffening element
- No captive columns

2. Height range
HR (5)

4+ stories

3. Seismic design level
LD

- Fair construction quality and workmanship
- Few seismic enhancement measures
- Building designed for low lateral loads

4. Diaphragm type
RD

- Roof/floor with sufficient in-plane stiffness
- Good connection of the roof/floor to the lateral load resisting system

5. Structural irregularity
NI

- Regular in plan and elevation

6. Span length
SS

- Span length is less than or equal to 6 m

7. Pier type
SW

- Column depth is less than beam depth, and/or
- Three times the length divided by the column depth is more than or equal to 22

8. Foundation type
RF

- Prevents large foundation deformations and anticipated failures

9. Seismic pounding risk
NP

- Seismic gap between buildings at least 4% of the height of the shorter building where the expected collision occurs

10. Effective seismic retrofitting
OS

- Original structure, which undertook or not minor non-structural improvements and/or maintenance

11. Structural health condition
GC

- Building structure is in overall good condition

12. Non-structural components
VN

- Building has non-structural components that can produce human casualties and economic losses such as: parapets, ceilings, tiles, pipes, infill, etc.

Failure Modes

Non-Structural Failure

Overturning or damage of non-structural components (e.g. parapets, chimneys, etc.) due to lack of adequate anchorage/confinement. 

Diaphragm Failure

Collapse or failure of floor/roof. Possible causes include inadequate connection of floor/roof to the lateral resisting system (e.g. walls, frames), insufficient in-plane stiffness (e.g. unbraced timber/steel trusses) of the floor/roof, etc. 

Joint Failure

Local joint failure due to lack of transverse reinforcement for shear/confinement, and/or inadequate anchorage of longitudinal reinforcement at the joint. This leads to brittle shear failure of the joint, and preferable plastic hinges are not able to properly form at beam ends. 

Short Column

Fragile shear failure caused by the restriction of the column to deform laterally by partially confining masonry walls. A dangerous brittle failure mode governed by the shear failure of columns (i.e. key element of RC structure). 

Soft Story

Collapse or failure of a story that is significantly more flexible or weak in lateral load resistance than the others, due to discontinuity in lateral stiffness (e.g. discontinuity of infill walls or columns). A dangerous failure mode governed by the failure of columns (i.e. key element of RC structure). 

Strong Column – Weak Beam

A global sway mechanism with desirable ductile behavior. With columns stronger than beams, plastic hinges are able to form in beams instead of columns (i.e. key element of RC structure), providing earthquake energy dissipation. This governs a progressive, ductile, and relatively safer failure mechanism. 

Weak Column

Collapse or partial collapse of the structure, due to insufficient strength or ductility of the columns. The failure can be governed by shear, bending, compression, or mixed mechanisms of the column, depending on the detailed design of the column (i.e. section size, longitudinal reinforcement, transverse reinforcement.).