Applying Closed-Form Models Describing Near-Field Records in Assessing the Seismic Response of Medium-Rise Bundled-Tube Structures

One of the most prominent characteristics of registered earthquake records in a near-fault zone, is the presence of powerful and high-amplitude velocity and displacement pulses in their time history. The existence of large continuous pulses in the time history of powerful earthquake records affects the parameters of structure response, to a great degree. Therefore, assessing the seismic response parameters of structures under these types of movements are of utter importance. Considering distinct and different characteristics of these powerful movements, it is not possible to conduct an accurate study on the effects of near-field records on structural systems merely through simplified mathematical models. According to this, a need is felt to produce and simulate major possible ground tremors through the application of closed-form models and available data analysis. In this research, the performance of a medium-height bundled-tube structural system of 10 stories is studied under strong near-field records as well as produced equivalent mathematical pulses. Assessing analytical results of this research reveal the fact that floors drift in the studied model under natural records and also equivalent mathematical pulses, bring about relatively similar results. Therefore, it is observed that by applying suitable closed-form models while acknowledging limitations, it is possible to simulate powerful near-field records through mathematical pulses and use them for the purpose of evaluating the seismic behavior in medium-height structural systems.