ANALYSIS OF SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF BUILDINGS WITH BRACING AND SHEAR WALL SYSTEMS USING ETABS

Abstract

The increasing occurrence of earthquakes and their devastating effects on urban infrastructure have emphasized the importance of designing earthquake-resistant structures. High-rise and multi-storey buildings are particularly vulnerable to seismic forces due to their height, flexibility, and dynamic characteristics. Structural systems such as bracings and shear walls are widely employed to enhance the seismic performance of buildings by increasing lateral stiffness, strength, and energy dissipation capacity. Proper selection and placement of these lateral load-resisting systems play a crucial role in reducing structural damage and ensuring occupant safety during seismic events. This study presents an analysis of the seismic behavior of buildings incorporating bracing systems and shear wall systems using ETABS software. A multi-storey reinforced concrete building model was developed and analyzed under seismic loading conditions in accordance with relevant design standards. Different structural configurations, including a conventional moment-resisting frame, braced frame systems, and shear wall systems, were modeled and evaluated using ETABS. Key seismic performance parameters such as storey displacement, storey drift, base shear, lateral stiffness, and natural time period were assessed and compared. The analysis aimed to determine the effectiveness of bracing and shear wall systems in improving the overall seismic response of the structure. The results demonstrated that both bracing and shear wall systems significantly enhanced the seismic performance of the building compared to the conventional frame structure. Shear wall systems exhibited superior lateral stiffness and achieved the greatest reduction in storey displacement and drift, while bracing systems effectively improved structural stability and load distribution. The study revealed that the incorporation of appropriately designed lateral load-resisting systems can substantially reduce seismic vulnerability and improve structural resilience. The findings provide valuable insights for engineers and designers in selecting efficient seismic strengthening strategies for high-rise buildings located in earthquake-prone regions.