Structural Design of China Merchants Bank Headquarters Tower: Part 2 – Performance-Based Seismic Design

Abstract

This paper presents the performance-based seismic design procedure and nonlinear seismic analysis methods and key results, as well as seismic performance evaluation of China Merchants Bank Headquarters Tower to Service-Level Earthquake, Design Earthquake and Maximum Considered Earthquake shaking. Work presented herein represents a recent example and the state-of-the-practice of performance-based seismic design and analysis, expert panel review, and independent 3rd party validation of nonlinear response history analysis results of code-exceeding supertall buildings exceeding 300 m in height. The benefits of the present Chinese practice and energy dissipating outrigger trusses using Buckling-Restrained Braces as web diagonal members are highlighted. An opportunity is identified for simplifying detailing of the boundary elements in shear walls in tall and supertall buildings located in high wind but moderate seismic regions.