Evaluation of Seismic Design Factors in Reinforced Concrete Shear Wall Buildings Located on Sloping Terrain Using FEMA P695 Methodology

Currently, seismic-resistant design is carried out by applying codes that are periodically updated based on research findings and lessons learned from major seismic events. In the case of buildings located on sloping terrains and those composed of reinforced concrete shear walls, there is a notable lack of specific design provisions in existing standards. For this reason, the methodology outlined in FEMA P695 was applied in the present study, with the aim of validating the response reduction factor used for designing this type of structure in Chile. Additionally, other parameters that allow for the evaluation of design performance or serve as complementary indicators—such as ductility, the overstrength factor, and the displacement amplification factor—were determined. To conduct this study, a series of archetype buildings were designed, varying the slope inclination from 0° to 45°. The results show that, although the current design approach ensures safety, it is necessary to specify different design parameters for the directions parallel and orthogonal to the slope in order to optimize the seismic performance of the buildings.