ABSTRACT
Steel bracing and shear walls are crucial structural components in educational buildings as they help transfer lateral loads, such as those caused by seismic activity, directly to the foundation, bypassing columns and beams, which are designed primarily for gravity loads. These systems are essential in enhancing the building’s stability during lateral load events, particularly in seismic regions. For existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures, retrofitting with steel bracing or shear walls often becomes necessary to increase resistance to lateral forces and ensure occupant safety during an earthquake. This retrofitting process is particularly vital for buildings that were not initially designed to withstand seismic forces, strengthening their ability to handle higher stresses.
The current study investigates the seismic performance of a G+9 educational building model, analyzing different RCC frame types with and without steel bracing systems and shear walls using STAAD Pro software. Seismic analysis is carried out for various zones, considering regional seismicity, and response spectrum analysis is utilized to identify the optimal RCC frame configuration for three different building types. The study evaluates structural performance in terms of storey displacement, base shear, and base moment—key parameters for understanding how the building responds to seismic forces. This comprehensive analysis assists in determining the most effective retrofitting strategies, ensuring that the structure can withstand lateral forces and maintain its integrity during seismic events, thereby enhancing occupant safety and improving the building’s long-term resilience.
