Analytical Investigation of Seismic Behavior of Building Structures with an Inertial Force-Limiting Floor Anchorage System

Abstract—An innovative floor anchorage system is being developed that reduces inertial forces in building structures during major earthquakes. This goal is accomplished by providing the anchorage a design strength lower than that required to transmit the elastic diaphragm forces. Instead, at a predefined “cut-off” load, the anchorage deforms ductily, transforming the diaphragm seismic demands into relative displacement of the floor system with respect to the primary vertical elements of the lateral force resisting system. The floor anchorage system has the potential to reduce the diaphragm inertial forces, thereby lowering floor accelerations and reducing seismic demands on the lateral force resisting system, resulting in less damage to the structure, non-structural elements and building contents. This paper presents preliminary analytical findings on the performance of the floor anchorage system, focusing on the sensitivity of system properties on structural seismic response. The analytical study shows significant seismic response reduction in the proposed floor anchorage system.