Vertical Irregularities in Earthquake Codes within the Scope of Architectural Design

 

ABSTRACT In this study vertical structural irregularities which are often inevitable due to building requirements and architectural imperatives, and having a major impact on building costs are investigated. First of all, in the light of the comprehensive literature review, a wide classification of structural irregularities in the vertical plane resulting from the decisions taken in the architectural design phase has been made. Within the scope of structural irregularity definitions in vertical plane; earthquake codes of the countries having different seismic experience; Turkey, China, Iran, New Zealand, Mexico, India regulations; Eurocode-8 and ASCE/SEI 7/10 standards used by European countries with active fault lines have been examined in detail. Presence and the limits for each structural irregularity were compared in tables. In addition to this, the visual expression techniques of vertical structural irregularity definitions in the aforementioned regulations were examined to draw attention to the necessity of these in terms of understanding the regulations by architects. A detailed evaluation, which is enriched with visuals on vertical structural irregularities, has been carried out in order to create consciousness in architects and architecture students who are the target audience of the study. In order to prevent the seismic codes which contains a lot of formulas and calculations as a result of their nature, to be seen as information that should be memorized, common design decisions that may cause structural irregularities, and the measures that may be taken against these irregularities are presented. Each title is supported by simple but descriptive drawings because of the better understanding of the visual forms in human perception.