Pushover Analysis

of
Steel Structure using STAAD
By

Bentley Systems
Mr. Kalavagunta Sreedhar)

Definition
Pushover Analysis option will allow engineers to perform pushover analysis as per FEMA 356 :
2000 and ATC 40. Pushover analysis is a static, nonlinear procedure using simplified nonlinear
technique to estimate seismic structural deformations. It is an incremental static analysis used to
determine the force-displacement relationship, or the capacity curve, for a structure or structural
element.

The analysis involves applying horizontal loads, in a prescribed pattern, to the structure
incrementally, i.e. pushing the structure and plotting the total applied shear force and associated
lateral displacement at each increment, until the structure or collapse condition.
Purpose of Pushover Analysis
It is expected that most buildings rehabilitated in accordance with a standard, would perform
within the desired levels when subjected to the design earthquakes. Structures designed
according to the existing seismic codes provide minimum safety to preserve life and in a major
earthquake, they assure at least gravity-load-bearing elements of non-essential facilities will still
function and provide some margin of safety. However, compliance with the standard does not

guarantee such performance. They typically do not address performance of non-structural

components neither provide differences in performance between different structural systems.
This is because it cannot accurately estimate the inelastic strength and deformation of each
member due to linear elastic analysis. Although an elastic analysis gives a good indication of
elastic capacity of structures and indicates where first yielding will occur, it cannot predict
failure mechanisms and account for redistribution of forces during progressive yielding.

To overcome this disadvantages different nonlinear static analysis method is used to estimate the
inelastic seismic performance of structures, and as the result, the structural safety can be secured
against an earthquake. Inelastic analysis procedures help demonstrate how buildings really work
by identifying modes of failure and the potential for progressive collapse. The use of inelastic
procedures for design and evaluation helps engineers to understand how structures will behave
when subjected to major earthquakes, where it is assumed that the elastic capacity of the
structure will be exceeded. This resolves some of the uncertainties associated with code and
elastic procedures. The overall capacity of a structure depends on the strength and deformation
capacities of the individual components of the structure. In order to determine capacities beyond
the elastic limit some form of nonlinear analysis, like Pushover Analysis, is required.

Theory on which it is based

There are two nonlinear procedures using pushover methods:
a)

Capacity Spectrum Method,

b)

Displacement Coefficient Method.

In STAAD Displacement Coefficient method has been followed.

Displacement Coefficient Method is to find target displacement which is the maximum
displacement that the structure is likely to be experienced during the design earthquake. It

provides a numerical process for estimating the displacement demand on the structure, by using a
bilinear representation of capacity curve and a series of modification factors, or coefficients, to
calculate a target displacement. Refer Section 3.3.3.3.2 of FEMA 356: 2000 for detailed
description of calculation of target displacement
Types of non-linearity
Both geometric and material non-linearities are considered in this static nonlinear pushover
analysis.
Geometric non-linearity
This is a type of non-linearity where the structure is still elastic, but the effects of large
deflections cause the geometry of the structure to change, so that linear elastic theory breaks
down. Typical problems that lie in this category are the elastic instability of structures, such as in
the Euler bulking of struts and the large deflection analysis of a beam-column member. In
general, it can be said that for geometrical non-linearity, an axially applied compressive force in
a member decreases its bending stiffness, but an axially applied tensile force increases its
bending stiffness. In addition, P-Delta effect is also included in this concept.
Material non-linearity
In this type of non-linearity, material undergoes plastic deformation. Material non-linearity can
be modeled as discrete hinges at a number of locations along the length of a frame (beam or
column) element and a discrete hinge for a brace element as discrete material fibers distributed
over the cross-section of the element, or as a series of material points throughout the element.

Frame element hinge properties

Discrete hinge properties for frame elements are based on FEMA-356 criteria as per Section
5.5.2.2.2.

Figure1.6 Generalized Force-Deformation Relationship for Components

Point A is the origin

Point B represents yielding. No deformation occurs in the hinge up to point B, regardless

of the deformation value specified for point B. The displacement (rotation or axial elongation as
the case may be) will be subtracted from the displacements at points C, D and E. Only plastic
deformation beyond point B will be exhibited by hinge.

Point C represents ultimate capacity of plastic hinge. At this point hinge strength
degradation begins (hinge starts shedding load) until it reaches point D.

Point D represents the residual strength of the plastic hinge. Beyond point D the
component responds with substantially strength to point E.

Point E represnts total failure. At deformation greater than point E the plastic hinge will
drop load to zero.

This diagram represent for those component actions which are ductile (e.g. Hinge formation for
bending moment about local z axis of beam). For force-controlled action, Type 3 curve is
followed. Refer Table C2-1 of FEMA 356 : 2000 for examples of possible deformationcontrolled and force-controlled actions.

Lateral Load Distribution as per Section 3.3.3.2.3 Chapter 3 FEMA 356

Lateral load can be applied by following three methods.
Method 1
The vertical distribution of the base shear shall be as specified in this section for all buildings.
The lateral load applied at any floor level x shall be determined in accordance with equation (18-1) and equation (1-8-2):
F =CV
x

. (1-8-1)

vx

where
wh
x

k
x

C = -------------------- . (1-8-2)
vx

n
S wh

i=1
Method 2
A vertical distribution proportional to the shape of the fundamental mode in the direction under
consideration is performed. Use of this distribution shall be permitted only when more than 75%
of the total mass participates in the fundamental mode in the direction under consideration, and
the uniform distribution is also used.
wF
x

F = --------------- V
x

S wF
i

i=1

Method 3
A vertical distribution is performed consisting of lateral forces at each level proportional to the
total mass at each level .
w

F = --------- V
x

S w

i=1

where,

vx

= Vertical distribution factor

= 2.0 for T 2.5 seconds

= 1.0 for T 0.5 seconds

Linear interpolation shall be used to calculate values of for intermediate values
of k for
intermediate values of T.
V

= User defined base shear

= Portion of the total building weight W located on or assigned to floor level i

= Portion of the total building weight W located on or assigned to floor level x

= Height (in ft) from the base to floor level i

= Height (in ft) from the base to floor level x

= Amplitude of mode a floor level x

Masses
The method involves 2 matrices the stiffness matrix and the mass matrix.
The stiffness matrix, usually called the [K] matrix, is assembled using data such as member and
element lengths, member and element properties, modules of elasticity, poisons ratio, member
and element release, member offsets, support information, etc.
For assembling the mass matrix, called the [M] matrix, the input is weights, not masses.
Internally, STAAD will convert weights to masses by dividing the input by g the acceleration
due to gravity.
Example.
Illustrate the procedure and results find the bellow STAAD example
STAAD PLANE
START JOB INFORMATION
ENGINEER DATE 07-Oct-05
END JOB INFORMATION
INPUT WIDTH 79
UNIT INCHES KIP
JOINT COORDINATES
1 0 0 0; 2 0 118.11 0; 3 118.11 118.11 0; 4 118.11 0 0; 5 0 236.22 0;
6 118.11 236.22 0; 7 0 354.331 0; 8 118.11 354.331 0; 9 0 472.441 0;
10 118.11 472.441 0; 11 236.22 118.11 0; 12 236.22 0 0; 13 236.22 236.22 0;
14 236.22 354.331 0; 15 236.22 472.441 0;

MEMBER INCIDENCES
1 1 2; 2 2 3; 3 3 4; 4 2 5; 5 5 6; 6 6 3; 7 5 7; 8 7 8; 9 8 6; 10 7 9; 11 9 10;
12 10 8; 13 3 11; 14 6 13; 15 8 14; 16 10 15; 17 11 12; 18 13 11; 19 14 13;
20 15 14;
DEFINE MATERIAL START
ISOTROPIC STEEL
E 29732.7
POISSON 0.3
DENSITY 0.000283
ALPHA 1.2e-005
DAMP 0.03
END DEFINE MATERIAL
MEMBER PROPERTY AMERICAN
2 5 13 14 TABLE ST W16X26
8 11 15 16 TABLE ST W16X26
1 3 4 6 17 18 TABLE ST W24X55
7 9 10 12 19 20 TABLE ST W24X55
CONSTANTS
MATERIAL STEEL ALL

SUPPORTS
1 4 12 FIXED
DEFINE PUSHOVER DATA
FRAME 2
FYE 36.000000 ALL
GNONL 1
DISP X 15 JOINT 10
LDSTEP 250
SPECTRUM PARAMETERS
DAMPING 5.0000
SC 1
SS 1
S1 1
SAVE LOADSTEP RESULT DISP 0.010000
END PUSHOVER DATA
LOAD 1 LOADTYPE Gravity
SELFWEIGHT Y -1
MEMBER LOAD
2 5 8 11 13 TO 16 UNI GY -.4

PERFORM PUSHOVER ANALYSIS

FINISH

Figure 1: Capacity Curve for a Structure in STAAD.Pro V8i

Figure 2: Deflected shape at specified displacement for a Structure in STAAD.Pro V8i

Figure 4: Beam Hinge results for a Structure in STAAD.Pro V8i

STAAD Results
PR O B LE M S TAT I S T I C S

NUMBER OF JOINTS/MEMBER+ELEMENTS/SUPPORTS =

15/

20/

SOLVER USED IS THE IN-CORE ADVANCED SOLVER

TOTAL PRIMARY LOAD CASES =

NUMBER OF MODES REQUESTED

1, TOTAL DEGREES OF FREEDOM =

NUMBER OF EXISTING MASSES IN THE MODEL =

NUMBER OF MODES THAT WILL BE USED

STAAD PLANE

24

-- PAGE NO.

CALCULATED FREQUENCIES FOR LOAD CASE

MODE

FREQUENCY(CYCLES/SEC)

PERIOD(SEC)

36

1.292

0.77396

MASS PARTICIPATION FACTORS IN PERCENT

MODE

SUMM-X SUMM-Y SUMM-Z

1 79.94 0.00 0.00 79.944

STAAD.Pro

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pushover analysis

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Created by Sreedhar Kalavagunta

When: Thu, Jun 17 2010 9:17 AM

Last revision by Sye

When: Wed, Aug 14 2013 12:34 AM

Revisions: 4

Comments: 0