A method is presented to quantify the inelastic seismic resistance of
reinforced concrete stack-like structures by non-linear earthquake ana
lysis. The deformed configuration of stack is idealized as an assembla
ge of beam elements and actual stress-strain relationships of concrete
and reinforcing steel are used to evaluate element matrices. Repeated
non-linear analyses are performed by gradually increasing the intensi
ty of acceleration time histories to a level where collapse of the sta
ck is observed in primary stresses. The set of time histories thus obt
ained are then used to define the ultimate intensity of ground motion
that the stack can sustain if inelastic deformations are permitted. A
procedure is presented to quantify the difference between inelastic se
ismic resistance and elastic seismic resistance in terms of displaceme
nt ductility capacity factors. For seismic design using available inel
astic resistance, values of curvature ductility factor demand for the
cross-sections of stacks are also presented. (C) 1997 by John Wiley &
Sons, Ltd.