A Comparative Study of Middle Rise Apartment Building with Different Seismic Codes

Abstract

This study presents a seismic analysis of a reinforced concrete (RCC) apartment building, evaluated against various seismic codes to ensure structural safety in earthquake-prone regions. The analysis employs a finite element approach and considers different seismic parameters, including torsion, drift, displacement, and base shear. The building was modelled in ETABS, maintaining consistent horizontal and vertical configurations. Seismic analysis was conducted using the Linear Equivalent Static Method and the Linear Dynamic Response Spectrum Method. The Nepal National Building Code (NBC) - 105:1994 and 105:2020, as well as Indian Standards (IS) - 1893:2002 and 1893:2016, were utilized for designing the building structure. As compared to IS codes, NBC 105:2020 codes give higher results in base shear by 43.48%, considering the ULS method and by 37.66%, considering the SLS method for the same building used in the analysis. Nepalese code considers higher accidental eccentricity (10%) than Indian code (5%), which can result in higher torsional forces in NBC 105 designs.