Performance-Based Design Assessment of a Chilean Prescriptive R.C. Shear Wall Building Using Nonlinear Static Analysis

Performance-based seismic design (PBD) has emerged as a key approach for rationalizing prescriptive code provisions and improving the explicit assessment of structural performance. In Chile, where reinforced concrete shear wall buildings are the predominant structural typology, evaluating their seismic response beyond traditional linear methodologies is crucial. This study assesses the seismic performance of a representative Chilean shear wall residential building using the ACHISINA manual’s performance-based seismic design framework. A nonlinear static (pushover) analysis is performed to verify compliance with prescribed design criteria, incorporating capacity design principles and a moment envelope approach to prevent premature yielding in upper stories. The results confirm that the building meets the performance objectives for both Immediate Occupancy and Additional Deformation Capacity limit states. The application of capacity design effectively controls shear demand, preventing brittle failure, while the flexural design ensures the formation of the yielding mechanism (plastic hinge) at the intended critical section. Additionally, the study highlights the limitations of pushover analysis in capturing higher-mode effects and recommends complementary nonlinear time-history analysis (NLTHA) for a more comprehensive assessment. The computed response reduction factors exceed those used in the prescriptive design, suggesting a conservatively safe approach in current Chilean practice. This research reinforces the need to integrate performance-based methodologies into Chilean seismic design regulations, particularly for shear wall structures. It provides valuable insights into the advantages and limitations of current design practices and proposes improvements for future applications.