| This dissertation begins with a comprehensive review and assessment of the state-of-the-art in the area of research on seismic response of secondary systems (structural or non-structural). A sensitivity factor is then proposed based on the concept of spectral moments. It is shown that this factor can be used for a quantitative assessment of secondary system response when uncertainties exist not only in the excitation but also in the parameters of the primary structures, including parameters characterizing inelastic behavior. Furthermore, the analysis leads to a formulation in modifying the floor response spectrum. In this approach, based on the sensitivity analysis, the effect of interaction between the primary and secondary systems and that of nonclassical damping are accounted for. A general modification procedure, not only to determine the effect of structural uncertainties being on structural frequencies, but also on structural response magnitudes, is formulated and illustrated by numerical examples. It lends itself easily as a design tool.; Finally, the problem of inelastic behavior of primary structures and its effect on secondary system response is addressed from a quantitative point of view. Both the approximate analysis method developed here, which is capable of analyzing elasto-plastic shear beam systems, and time history integration method are used to analyze primary-secondary system response with various structural and ground motion parameters. In comparison of the floor response spectrum (FRS) based on yielding primary system with the FRS based on the original elastic system, three cases of amplification impact of nonlinearity in the primary system in terms of frequency shift and multi-support amplification are investigated. The application of these results to design is commented upon.; Generally speaking, a developed design procedure from the theory to the application, for both linear and nonlinear systems, is provided. Comparing the convention approach, this proposed method is based on stochastic sensitivity study instead of deterministic analysis. It could be a convenient approach for practical use. The major problems in convention design method, such as neglecting the interaction between secondary and primary system and neglecting nonclassical damping are taken account for in this new approach. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)... |
