DRIFT CONTROL AND DAMAGE IN TALL BUILDINGS

The interstorey drift limitations in earthquake codes of various count ries around the world, have been reviewed. It is emphasized that, the aseismic safety of a tall building as well as its susceptibility to no nstructural damage are primarily indexed to its ability to restrict th e relative storey displacements, in addition to its adequate strength, ductility and toughness. A moment resisting frame building satisfying all requirements of strength and ductility may still be subject to se vere nonstructural damage, if the interstorey drifts are not restricte d properly by means of shear walls. Several stringent deflection crite ria as well as a damage control index are introduced to be conscientio usly determined and checked during the design calculations for the pur pose of controlling damage especially to nonstructural elements. Copyr ight (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.