Seismic Performance of a Brazilian RC Frame Structure Designed Considering Different Scenarios Based on Eurocodes 2 and 8

In low to medium-seismicity countries, seismic design is often not mandatory. Furthermore, zoning is frequently adopted to justify simplified calculations based on force methods without capacity criteria. However, risk analysis should merge vulnerability, threat, and exposure. So even regions with low seismicity can face potentially high consequences due to earthquakes. This is the case of Brazil, where seismic provisions were lacking until 2006 when the first standard was approved, being updated in 2023. Therefore, this study selected a typical RC frame configuration and focuses on assessing the differences in seismic performance between the provisions outlined in EN1992-1-1/EN1998-1 and ABNT NBR15421. The research highlights how different requirements affect low and medium-seismicity regions. Hence, the methodology and conclusions can serve as a guide for decision-making in other countries regarding impact and effectiveness. There are considered different scenarios of design, seismicity, and ductility class. The nonlinear static Pushover analysis was conducted and also validated with nonlinear dynamic Time-history analysis. The assessment of the results is based on the design assumptions, capacity curves, collapse mechanism, IDA curves, PSDM, damage limit states and cost-benefits. Non-seismic design structures had a premature brittle collapse. The global ductility condition was the main key to changing into a ductile mechanism, and seismic detailing was the variable that addresses the ductility level.