AN EQUIVALENT LINEAR MODEL TO ESTIMATE MAXIMUM INELASTIC SEISMIC RESPONSES OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

The equivalent linear analysis of a multi-degree-of-freedom system is an effective method in predicting the maximum inelastic seismic responses of building structures, in which the equivalent linear models for sin-gle-degree-of-freedom systems are of essential importance. The influence of structure’s period of vibration, duc-tility ratio and hysteretic models over the equivalent linear parameters is examined both conceptually and quanti-tatively. A comprehensive model taking all the above-mentioned factors into account is proposed through regres-sions of the results of extensive nonlinear dynamic analyses. By comparing with typical existing models, the pro-posed model shows superior performance in terms of the influencing factors as well as mean relative errors.