Influence of Different European Code Provisions for Capacity Design on the Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Frames

Performance-based seismic codes ensure proper inelastic behaviour of reinforced concrete frames through capacity design, among others. This strategy relies not only on avoiding brittle failures and providing ductility to plastic hinges but also in their distribution within the frame aimed at a greater number storeys involved eventual collapse mechanism. Although are generally agreement some basic principles order they show discrepancies regarding specific strategies. In this paper, design provisions proposed by European current codes—Eurocode 8, Italian NTC, Spanish NCSE-02—are compared, effectiveness is discussed. The alternative formulation code for “strong column–weak beam” turns out be suitable under circumstances, such as with large gravity loads or significant cantilever deformation lower storeys. Regarding value axial load columns considered calculation shear moment capacities, three could eventually cause unconservative perimeter columns. whole set proved effective due different fundamentals—they based overstrength instead capacity. For all cases, procedures suggested work.