Eantavaka Engineering, Tenth Wed Conerance © 1992 Bakora, Rotterdam. ISBN90 54100605 P-delta effects in multi-storey structural design B.L Davidson, R.C. Fenwick & B:T.Chung Department of Civil Engineering, University of AucKland, New Zealand ABSTRACT: A method of designing for P-delta effects in ductile multi-storey buildings is presented. With this approach the strength required to prevent an increase in ductility demand when P-dela effects ae included in an ‘analysis, is determined from the performance of a single degree of freedom oscilator. Non-linear numerical integration time history analyses ofa series of ductile frame structures indicate thatthe approach forms the basis fof a practical method of design for Peel effect, 1, INTRODUCTION. In the seismic design of mult-sorey structures allowance should be made for “Pela” effets. These aze the additonal overturning moments eplid to the strctue resulting from the seismic weights, "P", supported by the streture, acting through the lateral deflections, 4, which del result from he horzonal seismic ineraTores. They are second order effets Which increase the displacements, the member actions and lengthen the effective fundamental period of the sructure Previous research by Montgomery (1981), Bernal (1987), and Chung (1991) as shown that P-dela effets ‘are much more significant in ductile than in elastically responding structures. For design purposes, in most cases seismic induced P-delia actions can be neglected in structures which remain elastic throughout the earthquake, Although some common linear structural ‘computer programs such as ETABS (1986), P-frame (1987), and Autostel (1992) incorporate P-deta effets into their analysis procedures, it has been shown by ‘Bemal (1987) and Chung (1991) that the increase in member action that they predict underestimates the influence of P-delta effects on the response of structure behaving nonlinearly during the passage of a large earthquake. Codes of practice have provided litle ‘uidance on how to cope with seismic induced P-delta actions in structures. In this paper a design method which allows for Peta effects in multi-storey structures, which have been ,,)h,. by is the interstorey height, vw; is the seismic weight at level i, and F; is the equivalent static force giveing ist’ to the lateral deflections, dy. If A, are obtained from a modal response. spectrum analysis, F, may be calculated as the equivalent inertia forces acting at each level, thus 4, a2) ese