Behaviour factor q

Reinforced concrete structures have the capacity to dissipate energy, mainly by means of the ductile behaviour of their
elements. The structural seismic response, which is reduced by the influence of ductility, is considered in the design
spectrum for elastic analysis, according to thebehaviour factor q.
The behaviour factor q depends on the structural type, the regularities in plan and elevation and the ductility class.
Structural types [EC8 5.2.2.1]
Concrete buildings shall be classified into one of the following structural 6+1 types according to their behaviour under
horizontal seismic actions.
Column is the vertical structural element of aspect ratio lw/hw4, while wall is the vertical structural element of aspect
ratio lw/hw>4. In the building base, VF implies the seismic shear carried by all columns,VW the seismic shear carried by all
walls and Vtot= VF + VW the total seismic shear at ground floor level.
1. Frame system
Structural system comprising only columns, or both columns and walls, in which columns are the main resisting elements
with VF/Vtot>0.65.
2. Ductile wall system (coupled or uncoupled)
Structural system comprising only walls, or both columns and walls, in which walls are the main resisting elements
with VW/Vtot>0.65.
3. Frame-equivalent dual system
Structural system comprising both columns and walls with 0.50<VF/Vtot0.65.
4. Wall-equivalent dual system
Structural system comprising both columns and walls with 0.50<VW/Vtot0.65.
5. System of large lightly reinforced walls
System comprising at least two walls in the horizontal direction considered satisfying the three following conditions:

The horizontal dimension is lwmin(4.0 m, 2hw/3),

The walls collectively support at least 20% of the total gravity load from above in the seismic design situation.

The fundamental period of the structure is 0.5 sec

If the first of the above conditions is satisfied but either the second or the third is not, then the system is classified as ductile
wall system and all of its walls should be designed and detailed as ductile walls.
6. Inverted pendulum system
System in which 50% or more of the mass is in the upper third of the height of the structure.
One-storey frames with column tops connected along both main directions of the building and with the value of the column
normalized axial load d exceeding 0.3 nowhere, do not belong in this category.
7. Torsionally flexible system [EC8, 5.2.2.1(4)P]

Figure 6.1.5.1

Note In the absence of definition for the characteristic floor in the EC8, the ground floor or the most unfavourable of all building floors may be
Provided that at the characteristic floor [*]
selected.
either rx<ls, or ry<ls is satisfied, then the system is classified as torsionally flexible. In the floor of the example min(rx, ry)=
min(3.91, 3.08)=3.08 m >ls=2.81 m, thus the building is not torsionally flexible.

Note :
Except for those classified astorsionally flexible systems, concrete buildings may be classified to different structural types in
x and y horizontal directions.

Regularity in plan [EC8 4.2.3.2]

For a building to be categorised as being regular in plan, it shall satisfy all the following conditions:
i.

With respect to the lateral stiffness and mass distribution, the building structure shall be approximately symmetrical
in plan with respect to two orthogonal axes.
Each floor shall be delimited by a polygonal convex line. If in plan set-backs exist, regularity in plan may still be considered
as being satisfied, provided that these setbacks do not affect the floor in-plan stiffness. For each set-back, the area between
the outline of the floor and a convex polygonal line enveloping the floor does not exceed 5 % of the floor area.

Figure 6.1.5.2

ii.

The in-plan stiffness of the floors shall be sufficiently large in comparison with the lateral stiffness of the vertical
structural elements, in order to satisfy the rigid diaphragm condition. This condition is usually satisfied in reinforced
concrete structures.

iii.
iv.

The slenderness of the building in plan shall be =Lmax/Lmin4

At each level shall be:
eox0.30rx & eoy0.30ry [provided is not flexible at the same time, i.e. min(rx, ry)ls ]
Example:
Consider eox=0.94 m0.30rx=0.30 3.91=1.17 m, but eoy=1.34 m>0.30ry=0.30 3.08=0.92 m which does not satisfy the
necessary condition, thus the building comprising that specific floor is not considered as being regular in plan .
Regularity in elevation [EC8 4.2.3.3]
For a building to be categorised as being regular in elevation, it shall satisfy all the following conditions:
i. All lateral load resisting systems, such as cores, structural walls, or frames, shall run without interruption from their
foundations to the top of the building or, if setbacks at different heights are present, to the top of the relevant zone of the
building. Cases of regular and non-regular in elevation buildings are presented in the following figures.

Figure 6.1.5.3-1: regular in elevation building

Figure 6.1.5.3-2: non-regular in elevation

building (change of column dimension)

Figure 6.1.5.3-3: non-regular in elevation

building(interrupted column)

Figure 6.1.5.3-4: non-regular in elevation

building(planted column)

Figure 6.1.5.3-5: regular in elevation building

(column added of in the basement)

Figure 6.1.5.3-6: regular in elevation

building(The top of the building does not
count as floor)

ii.Both the lateral stiffness and the mass of the individual storeys shall remain constant or reduce gradually, without abrupt
changes, from the base to the top of a particular building.The storey stiffness is defined as the ratio of the applied seismic
force the relative lateral stiffness (or equivalently, the displacement of the centre of stiffness).
The storey stiffness may be approximated by the sum all columns stiffnesses, i.e. (E I/h3).

Figure 6.1.5.3-7: Change in mass and stiffness

In the absence of particular data provided by the EC8, the limit values for the stiffness and mass fluctuation may be taken as
being equal to:
Mass increase Mi=(Mi+1-Mi)0.35Mi,
Mass reduction Mi=(Mi-Mi+1)0.50Mi,
while for each main horizontal direction x, y
Relative stiffness increase
Ki=(Ki+1-Ki)0.35Ki , Relative stiffness reduction
Ki=(Ki-Ki+1)0.50Ki ,
Notes

The stiffness ratio fluctuation is very sensitive. The most critical factor is the interstorey height since it is involved
directly or non-directly in the calculation of the column stiffness raised in the 3 rdpower. For instance, in case of two
storeys with the same columns, the same loads and interstorey heights equal to 4.0 m and 3.0 m, respectively, the
first is (4.0/3.0)3=2.4 times more flexible than the second and thus the building is considered as being non-regular
in plan. For interstorey height 6.0 m, instead of 4.0 m, the corresponding ratio yields (6.0/3.0) 3= 8. Such stories are
called soft storeys having an unfavourable effect both on defining the building as being irregular in elevation, and
on the stress and strain behaviour of the building.

Consider a building where two consecutive storeys have the same walls and frames but the first one has less
slabs, e.g. as in mezzanines, then the second carries less loads than the first. That could affect the uniform mass
distribution, resulting in the building being considered as non-regular in elevation.

Figure 6.1.5.3-8: Non-regular in elevation,

due to significant stiffness difference (soft storey)

Figure 6.1.5.3-9: Non-regular in elevation,

due to significant mass difference (loft)

iii. In framed buildings the ratio of the actual strength of columns and beams to the strength required by the analysis should
not vary disproportionately from the corresponding overstrength factor between adjacent storeys. For each floor and each
direction the column resistance moments Mc,Rd in both directions (+x, -x) (+y, -y) and the two corresponding beam
resistant moments Mb,Rd are added.
iv. When setbacks are present, the following additional conditions apply for each direction:
- For gradual setbacks preserving axial symmetry, the setback at any floor shall be not greater than 20 % of the previous
plan dimension in the direction of the setback.

Figure 6.1.5.3-10

It shall be

- If the setbacks do not preserve symmetry, in each face the sum of the setbacks at all storeys shall be not greater than 30
% of the plan dimension at the ground floor above the foundation or above the top of a rigid basement, and the individual
setbacks shall be not greater than 10 % of the previous plan dimension.

Figure 6.1.5.3-11

It shall be

and

- For a single setback within the lower 15 % of the total height of the main structural system, the setback shall be not greater
than 50 % of the previous plan dimension. In this case the structure of the base zone within the vertically projected perimeter
of the upper storeys should be designed to resist at least 75% of the horizontal shear forces that would develop in that zone
in a similar building without the base enlargement.

Figure 6.1.5.3-12

It shall be

Ductility classes [EC8 5.2.1]

Earthquake resistant buildings are classified in three ductility classes.
() DCL from the initials of Ductility Category Low
() DCM from the initials of Ductility Category Medium
() DCH from the initials of Ductility Category High
DCL

Buildings belonging to Ductility Category Low are designed for low energy dissipation capacity and low ductility, following
the provisions of EC2 that concern the dimensioning without of course accounting for the reduction of seismic forces, i.e. the
behaviour factor q shallbe taken equal to 1.0. The only construction requirement concerns the use of B or C steel
class [EC2, 3.2.2(3)A ].
This category is recommended for the classification of buildings in low seismicity regions.
DCM
Buildings belonging to Ductility Category Medium are designed for medium energy dissipation capacity and medium
ductility, and conform to the particular design and construction rules of EC8.
DCH
Buildings belonging to Ductility Category High are designed for high energy dissipation capacity and high ductility and
conform to the strictest relevant design and construction rules.
Buildings classified as frame system and brittle masonry are not allowed to belong to this class.
Notes

The above classification addresses to both monolithically cast-in-situ and precast buildings.

Concrete buildings with flat slab frames, without beams, are not fully covered by the EC8.

Basic value of the behaviour factor qo [EC8 5.2.2.2]

DCM

DCH

Structural type

Regular in
elevation

Non-Regular in Regular in
elevation
elevation

Non-Regular in
elevation

Inverted pendulum system (6)

1.5

1.2

2.0

1.6

Torsionally flexible system (7)

2.0

1.6

3.0

2.4

Uncoupled wall system [partial case (2)]

3.0

2.4

4.0au/a1

3.2au/a1

2.4au/a1

4.5au/a1

3.6au/a1

Frame system (1), dual system (3), (4), coupled wall system
(2) [*]Note Large lightly reinforced are not included as well, since the coupling of such large walls practically does not affect their 3.0au/a1
behaviour.

Table 6.1.5.5-1: Basic value of the behaviour factor qo

The values of factor au/a1 may be obtained either from push over analysis or from the following table:
Structural type

Frame system (1), frame-equivalent dual system

(3), (4), coupled wall system (2)

Building type

au/a1

au/a1

One-storey building

1.10

1.05

Multistorey building with one-bay frame in

the direction considered

1.20

1.10

Rest of multistorey buildings

1.30

1.15

1.20

1.10

Two walls in the direction considered

1.00

1.00

More than two walls in the direction

considered

1.10

1.05

1.00

1.00

Ductile wall system (2)

Wall-equivalent dual system (4)

Regular in Non-Regular
plan
in plan

Systems of large lightly reinforced walls (5)

The factor au/a1 does not need to be evaluated for inverted pendulum(6) or torsionally flexible(7) systems
Table 6.1.5.5-2: Values of the multiplication factor au/a1

Notes on the above tables

For non-regular in elevation buildings the decreased values of the behaviour factor q o are obtained by the
reference values multiplied by 0.80.

For non-regular in plan buildings the values of the multiplication factor a u/a1, are obtained by the reference values
according to the expression (1+au/a1)/2.

Summarizing the above results in the following table:

Ductility
class

Structural type

DCM DCH
au/a1

aqo

(6)

inverted pendulum system

1.0

1.5

2.0

(7)

torsionally flexible system

1.0

2.0

3.0

(5)

System of large lightly reinforced

walls

1.0

3.0

4.0

(4)

Wall-equivalent dual system

Two walls in the direction considered

1.0

3.0

4.5

More than two walls

1.1

3.0

4.5

One-storey building

1.1

3.0

4.5

Multistorey building with one-bay frame in the direction

considered

1.2

3.0

4.5

Rest of multistorey buildings

1.3

3.0

4.5

Uncoupled walls in the direction considered

1.2

3.0

4.0

Coupled walls in the direction considered

1.2

3.0

4.5

(3) &
(1)

(2)

Frame or wall-equivalent dual

system

Ductile wall system

regular in elevation - regular in plan: qo=aqoau/a1

regular in elevation - non-regular in plan: qo=aqo(1+au/a1)/2
non-regular in elevation - regular in plan: qo=0.8aqoau/a1
non-regular in elevation - non-regular in plan: qo=0.8aqo (1+au/a1)/2
Table 6.1.5.5-3: Basic value of the behaviour factor qo
Examples for wall-equivalent dual system (4) with more than two walls:
Regular in elevation - regular in plan :
for DCM qo=3.0 1.1=3.30, for DCH qo=4.5 1.1=4.95
Regular in elevation - non- regular in plan :
for DCM qo=3.0 1.05= 3.15, for DCH qo=4.5 1.05= 4.725
Non-regular in elevation - regular in plan :
for DCM qo=0.8 3.0 1.1=2.64, for DCH qo=0.8 4.5 1.1=3.96
Non-regular in elevation - non- regular in plan :
for DCM qo=0.8 3.0 1.05=2.52, for DCH qo=0.8 4.5 1.05=3.78
Failure mode factor kw [EC8 5.2.2.2]
The behaviour factor is given by the expression q=kwqo1.5, where q is the basic value of the behaviour factor, presented
in the previous paragraph and kw is the failure mode factor.

kw=1.0for frame systems (1), or frame-equivalent dual systems (3), while for the remaining wall systems (2), (4),
(5),Kw=(1+ao)/3, where ao is the aspect ratio of the walls equal to ao=hw,i/lw,i.In any casekw should satisfy the
relation 0.50kw1.0.
The failure mode factor kw is 1.0 provided that ao2.0, meaning walls of averagelength lw>hw/2, i.e. in a one-storey building
of height hw=3.0 m for walls of lengthlw>3.0/2=1.50 m, in a two-storey building ofhw=23.0=6.0 m for walls of lw>6.0/2=3.0
m and, respectively, in a similar four-storey building for walls of lw>6.0 m and for aten-storey building for walls of lw>15 m. For
common multistorey buildings without large lightly reinforced walls, applies kw=1.0.
Conclusion
A few brief results, based on the previous paragraphs, are presented here:

For common buildings, the behaviour factor q is equal to the basic behaviour factor qo, i.e.q=qo.

For DCM q varies between 1.50 and 3.90 while, for DCH q varies between 1.60 and 5.85.

In inverted pendulum systems (6) q is independent of the regularity in plan. For DCM q, is also independent of the
regularity in elevation and is equal to 1.50, while for DCH q is equal to 1.60 or 2.0.

In torsionally flexible systems (7) q is independent of the regularity in plan. For DCM q is1.60 or 2.0 while for DCH
is 2.40 or 3.0.

In wall-equivalent dual systems (4), for DCM q varies between 2.40 and 3.30 while for DCHq varies
between 3.60 and 4.95.

In ductile wall systems (2), for DCM q varies between 2.88 and 3.60 while for DCH q varies
between 3.60 and 5.40 [*]Note Ductile wall (2) and wall-equivalent dual (4), are the most common systems in practice, with q ranging between 2.40 and 5.40. .

In frame (1) or frame-equivalent dual systems (3), the maximum values of q apply. For DCM q varies
between 2.88 and 3.90 while for DCH q varies between 4.32 and 5.85. The seismic design of masonry frame
systems is not allowed, in general.

The minimum value of the behaviour factor, q=1.50, may be selected for every simple or complex building, without
structural type classification or regularity criteria compliance. Such selection beyond the safety reasons also covers
the case of radical structural change due to renovation, change of use or other reason, during the building lifetime.

The assumption of q=1.0 combined with the classification, regarding the construction rules, to DCM or even better
to DCH, isdefinitely a good choice for the seismic design of buildings. Certainly, if the building is designed
appropriately, achieving value of q higher than e.g. 3.50, high standards of safety would be reached.