Experimental and numerical investigations on response of a conventional framed tubular structure and a diagrid structure for earthquake ground motions

Abstract

The paper investigates the behaviour of diagrid structures in comparison to conventional framed structures when subjected to earthquake ground motions. The work involves experimental study using a uniaxial shake table, on models fabricated in the laboratory, and numerical simulations of the same in ETABS. Scaled-down models of a fourstorey structure mimicking a conventional framed building and a diagrid building are used and linear time history analyses for different earthquake ground motion are performed. The results of the experimental studies indicate that the diagrid model performs in a better way compared to the conventional framed structure in terms of storey drifts, top storey accelerations and displacements. Substantial reduction in the top storey displacement is observed by employing diagrids. A pushover analysis performed towards the end shows the necessity to conduct nonlinear analysis to ensure the stability and ductility of the diagrid structure.