AccScience Publishing / NSCE / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/NSCE026300032
Submit to NSCE
Cite this article
20
Download
173
Views
Related Info Links
Google Scholar
More by Authors Links
Mo Shi
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
News and Announcements
View All
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Nonlinear pushover analysis of short-column effects induced by different clerestory opening positions in reinforced concrete frames

Mo Shi1* ,  Xinyue Cu1 ,  Yeol Choi2
Show Less
1 School of Economics and Management, Ankang University, Ankang , China
2 School of Architecture, Kyungpook National University, Daegu , Republic of Korea
NSCE, 026300032 https://doi.org/10.36922/NSCE026300032
Received: 20 July 2026 | Revised: 22 August 2026 | Accepted: 1 September 2026 | Published online: 18 September 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
Download PDF
XML
Cite
Abstract

The incorporation of clerestory openings in masonry-infilled reinforced concrete (RC) frames is ubiquitous in architectural design for natural ventilation and illumination, but improper design can induce pronounced stiffness irregularities and trigger short column-induced localized damage. This study investigates the sensitivity of the nonlinear seismic performance of masonry-infilled RC frames to the transverse positioning of clerestory openings. Utilizing displacement-controlled nonlinear pushover analysis, four different clerestory opening designs of a one-bay RC frame are evaluated. Plastic-hinge mechanics are defined using the acceptance criteria specified in Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings (41-13) (ASCE/SEI 41-13), while capacity–demand equilibria are quantified using the capacity spectrum procedures of Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Concrete Buildings (ATC-40) and Improvement of Nonlinear Static Seismic Analysis Procedures (FEMA 440). The findings in this study establish that isolating the clerestory opening from the bounding vertical elements neutralizes captive-column constraints and mitigates premature global stiffness degradation. Specifically, structural configurations featuring internally offset openings demonstrated a 23.36% enhancement in base shear capacity, a 15.77% amplification in energy dissipation, and a 1.62% extension in peak displacement capacity prior to collapse, relative to column-adjacent designs. Furthermore, kinematic damage confirmed that while all structures exhibited a ductile beam-first yielding mechanism, offsetting the fenestrations delayed the propagation of column plastic hinges to higher lateral drift demands. The excellent computational convergence between the ATC-40 and FEMA 440 performance point evaluations also provides a quantitative mechanical foundation and critical theoretical reference for the structural optimization and seismic design of infilled RC infrastructure.

Keywords
Clerestory opening
Short-column effect
Reinforced concrete frame
Nonlinear pushover analysis
Plastic hinge
Seismic performance
Funding
This work was supported by the 25th Batch High-Level Talent Research Project of Ankang University, “Seismic Response and Collapse Mechanisms of RC Structures via Deep Learning–Finite Element Coupling,” under the Grant 2026AYQDZR27.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare they have no competing interests.
References
  1. Fujii K. Seismic response of reinforced concrete moment-resisting frame with steel damper columns under earthquake sequences: evaluation using extended critical pseudo-multi impulse analysis. Front Built Environ. 2025;11:1561534. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2025.1561534
  2. Oyguc R, Aygun ZS, Oyguc E. Fragility of irregular RC buildings under mainshock-aftershock sequences. Bull Earthquake Eng. 2026. doi: 10.1007/s10518-026-02537-2
  3. Li SQ, Beer M, Gardoni P. Probabilistic seismic risk and vulnerability assessment framework for RC buildings considering the influence of mainshock-aftershock sequences. Prob Eng Mech. 2026;84:103921. doi: 10.1016/j.probengmech.2026.103921
  4. Cavuslu M, Agace BT, Ülger T. Seismic failure mechanisms of a reinforced-concrete minaret with stair-core discontinuities: field evidence, experimental insights, and 3D nonlinear analysis. Eng Fail Anal. 2026;191:110790. doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2026.110790
  5. Tamizharasi G. Evaluating earthquake resilience: Strategies for mitigating short column effects in reinforced concrete buildings through energy-based damage assessment. Struct Concr. 2026;27(2):2197–2215. doi: 10.1002/suco.70451
  6. Cagatay IH, Beklen C, Mosalam KM. Investigation of short column effect of RC buildings: failure and prevention. Comput Concr. 2010;7(6):523–532. doi: 10.12989/cac.2010.7.6.523
  7. Duran B, Tunaboyu O, Avsar O. Structural failure evaluation of a substandard RC building due to basement story short-column damage. J Perform Constr Facil. 2020;34(4):04020053. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0001455
  8. Arcuri D, Petrini L, Mihaylov BI. Three-parameter kinematic theory for shear assessment of reinforced concrete short columns. Struct Concr. Published online July 11, 2026. doi: 10.1002/suco.70704
  9. Zhang S, Guo L, Ge L, Wang E, Tong J. Performance-based seismic evaluation of local staggered RC frames with steel tube-reinforced concrete columns under multi-angle earthquakes. Appl Sci. 2025;15(16):9092. doi: 10.3390/app15169092
  10. Zhang J, Lata A, Guo X, Xu Z. Seismic vulnerability assessment of reinforced concrete school buildings based on the concept of balanced seismic shear force distribution. Structures. 2025;71:108184. doi: 10.1016/j.istruc.2024.108184
  11. Hammad A, Akbarnezhad A, Grzybowska H, Wu P, Wang X. Mathematical optimisation of location and design of windows by considering energy performance, lighting and privacy of buildings. Smart Sustain Built Environ. 2019;8(2):117–137. doi: 10.1108/SASBE-11-2017-0070
  12. Ou YC, Nguyen NVB, Hoang L. Cyclic behavior and pushover analysis of large scale two-bay, two-story reinforced concrete frames infilled with walls with openings. Eng Struct. 2024;317:118663. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.118663
  13. Maidiawati, Tanjung J, Hayati Y, Ridwan M, Masdar A. Seismic performance of masonry partially infilled RC frame based on numerical analysis applying strut model. Int J GEOMATE. 2025;29(134):32–40. doi: 10.21660/2025.134.4856
  14. Han SW, Lee CS. Cyclic behavior of lightly reinforced concrete moment frames with partial- and full-height masonry walls. Earthq Spectra. 2020;36(2):599–628. doi: 10.1177/8755293019899960
  15. Han Y, Han JP, Yu XH. Energy-based state-dependent fragility of RC frame structures with infilled walls subjected to mainshock-aftershock sequences. J Build Eng. 2026;117:114827. doi: 10.1016/j.jobe.2025.114827
  16. Han Y, Han J, Huang L. Mainshock–aftershock fragility analysis of RC structures considering IP-OOP interaction of infill masonry walls. KSCE J Civ Eng. 2024;28(9):3873–3890. doi: 10.1007/s12205-024-2044-x
  17. Furtado A, Rodrigues H, Varum H, Arêde A. Mainshock-aftershock damage assessment of infilled RC structures. Eng Struct. 2018;175:645–660. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.08.063
  18. Sung YC, Lin TK, Hsiao CC, Lai MC. Pushover analysis of reinforced concrete frames considering shear failure at beam-column joints. Earthq Eng Eng Vib. 2013;12(3):373–383. doi: 10.1007/s11803-013-0179-8
  19. Su RKL, Tang TO, Lee CL. Evaluation of local and global ductility relationships for seismic assessment of regular masonry-infilled reinforced concrete frames using the coefficient-based method. Earthq Struct. 2013;5(1):1–22. doi: 10.12989/eas.2013.5.1.001
  20. Li S, Zuo Z, Zhai C, Xie L. Comparison of static pushover and dynamic analyses using RC building shaking table experiment. Eng Struct. 2017;136:430–440. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2017.01.033
  21. Azadi Kakavand MR, Neuner M, Schreter M, Hofstetter G. A 3D continuum FE-model for predicting the nonlinear response and failure modes of RC frames in pushover analyses. Bull Earthquake Eng. 2018;16(10):4893–4917. doi: 10.1007/s10518-018-0388-7
  22. Sullivan TJ, Saborio-Romano D, O’Reilly GJ, Welch DP, Landi L. Simplified pushover analysis of moment resisting frame structures. J Earthq Eng. 2021;25(4):621–648. doi: 10.1080/13632469.2018.1528911
  23. Fragiadakis M, Vamvatsikos D, Aschheim M. Application of nonlinear static procedures for the seismic assessment of regular RC moment frame buildings. Earthq Spectra. 2014;30(2):767–794. doi: 10.1193/111511EQS281M
  24. Youssef MA, Elfeki MA. Predicting local seismic damage of RC framed buildings considering the horizontal seismic component. Mag Concr Res. 2013;65(23):1411–1428. doi: 10.1680/macr.13.00156
  25. Arroyo O, Barros J, Ramos L. Comparison of the reinforced-concrete seismic provisions of the design codes of the United States, Colombia, and Ecuador for low-rise frames. Earthq Spectra. 2018;34(2):441–458. doi: 10.1193/102116EQS178EP
  26. Ranjith A, Kiran BM, Sanjith J, Mahesh Kumar CL, Shwetha KG. Performance based seismic analysis of RC structural system under earthquake excitation. Int J Adv Technol Eng Explor. 2022;9(91):735–758. doi: 10.19101/IJATEE.2021.875292
  27. Raju KR, Cinitha A, Iyer NR. Seismic performance evaluation of existing RC buildings designed as per past codes of practice. Sadhana. 2012;37(2):281–297. doi: 10.1007/s12046-012-0080-6
  28. Birely AC, Lowes L, Lehman DE. A model for the practical nonlinear analysis of reinforced-concrete frames including joint flexibility. Eng Struct. 2012;34:455–465. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2011.09.003
  29. Makarios TK, Bakalis AP, Ntaliakouras I, Karayannis CG. The hybrid “M and P” technique for seismic damage identification in planar dual reinforced concrete frames. Soil Dyn Earthq Eng. 2025;194:109344. doi: 10.1016/j.soildyn.2025.109344
  30. Zhang C, Tao MX. Strong-column–weak-beam criterion for reinforced concrete frames subjected to biaxial seismic excitation. Eng Struct. 2021;241:112481. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112481
  31. Li F, Li Y, Luo W, Lei C, Pan W, Ji S. A new seismic strategy for strong column-weak beam design philosophy in RC frame structures. Structures. 2025;77:109129. doi: 10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109129
  32. Zuo Z, Gong M, Sun J, Zhang H. Seismic performance of RC frames with different column-to-beam flexural strength ratios under the excitation of pulse-like and non-pulse-like ground motion. Bull Earthquake Eng. 2021;19(1):5139–5159. doi: 10.1007/s10518-021-01159-0
  33. Ghorbanzadeh M, Khoshnoudian F. The effect of strong column-weak beam ratio on the collapse behaviour of reinforced concrete moment frames subjected to near-field earthquakes. J Earthq Eng. 2022;26(8):4030–4053. doi: 10.1080/13632469.2020.1822228
  34. Scalvenzi M, Gargiulo S, Freddi F, Parisi F. Impact of seismic retrofitting on progressive collapse resistance of RC frame structures. Eng Fail Anal. 2022;131:105840. doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105840
  35. Dadi VSK, Agarwal P. Updating of nonlinear analytical modeling of soft storey RC frame building models based on cyclic test results. Bull Earthquake Eng. 2013;11(5):1493–1515. doi: 10.1007/s10518-013-9434-7
  36. Shi M, Choi Y. Nonlinear pushover analysis of the mechanical influences under the varied stories and column orientations in RC structures. Insight Civ Eng. 2024;7(1):610. doi: 10.18282/ice.v7i1.610
  37. Furtado A, Rodrigues H. Simplified macro-model for non-interactive masonry infill walls. J Earthq Eng. Published online June 15, 2026. doi: 10.1080/13632469.2026.2685685
  38. Faraji Najarkolaie K, Mohammadi M, Fanaie N. Realistic behavior of infilled steel frames in seismic events: experimental and analytical study. Bull Earthquake Eng. 2017;15:5365–5392. doi: 10.1007/s10518-017-0173-z
  39. Shahriar MS, Amanat KM. Investigation on collapse mechanism of soft ground storied buildings at different locations of Bangladesh based on pushover analysis. Structures. 2025;79:109620. doi: 10.1016/j.istruc.2025.109620
  40. Abd-Elhamed A, Mahmoud S, Alotaibi KS. Nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete buildings with different heights and floor systems. Sci Rep. 2023;13:14949. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-41656-7
  41. Chandrasekaran S, Pachaiappan S. Displacement-controlled nonlinear analysis of offshore platform topside under accidental loads. Arab J Sci Eng. 2023;48(4):5619–5635. doi: 10.1007/s13369-022-07509-7
  42. Guettala S, Abdesselam I, Rahmani AY, Khelaifia A, Guettala S. Advancements in pushover analysis for improved seismic performance evaluation. Arch Comput Methods Eng. 2025;32(7):4525–4554. doi: 10.1007/s11831-025-10278-9
  43. Hung CC, Wang YQ, Yen CH. Retrofitting of masonry-infilled RC frames using UHPC shotcrete: full-scale experiments and strength modeling. Constr Build Mater. 2026;537:146982. doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2026.146982
  44. Mohammad AF, Faggella M, Gigliotti R, Spacone E. Seismic performance of older R/C frame structures accounting for infills-induced shear failure of columns. Eng Struct. 2016;122:1–13. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2016.05.010
  45. Zhou X, Kou X, Peng Q, Cui J. Influence of infill wall configuration on failure modes of RC frames. Shock Vib. 2018;2018:6582817. doi: 10.1155/2018/6582817
  46. Pradhan PM, Maskey RK, Pradhan PL. Stiffness behavior and shear effect in partially infilled reinforced concrete frames. J Earthq Eng. 2014;18(4):580–588. doi: 10.1080/13632469.2013.873373
  47. Cinitha A, Umesha PK, Iyer NR, Lakshmanan N. Performance-based seismic evaluation of RC framed building. J Inst Eng India Ser A. 2015;96(4):285–294. doi: 10.1007/s40030-015-0129-8
  48. Thomos GC, Trezos CG. Examination of the probabilistic response of reinforced concrete structures under static non-linear analysis. Eng Struct. 2006;28(1):120–133. doi: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2005.08.003
  49. Bhandari M, Bharti SD, Shrimali MK, Datta TK. Applicability of capacity spectrum method for base-isolated building frames at different performance points. J Earthq Eng. 2021;25(2):270–299. doi: 10.1080/13632469.2018.1515795
  50. Shao JH, Gu Q, Shen YK. Seismic performance evaluation of steel frame-steel plate shear walls system based on the capacity spectrum method. J Zhejiang Univ Sci A. 2008;9(3):322–329. doi: 10.1631/jzus.A071285
  51. Tidemann L, Krenk S. Cyclic plastic hinges with degradation effects for frame structures. J Eng Mech. 2017;143(12):04017142. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0001358
Next article in this issue
Share
Back to top
Nonlinear Science and Control Engineering, Published by AccScience Publishing
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept