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Buildings
Special Issues
Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures
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Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1729

Special Issue Editors

Dr. María Victoria Requena García de la Cruz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Building Structures and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
Interests: structural analysis; earthquake engineering; seismic vulnerability; linear and nonlinear dynamics; soil-structure interaction; retrofitting of existing buildings; finite element method; RC structures; masonry structures; heritage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Madalena Ponte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC), Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: earthquake engineering; seismic assessment; historical masonry structures; retrofit; equivalent frame method; experimental testing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Many buildings around the world are reaching or have already exceeded their nominal life. Years of ageing, material fatigue, and the accumulation of minor changes have contributed to both structural and seismic vulnerabilities. Heritage buildings, while invaluable for their cultural and historical significance, often show even greater weaknesses. At the same time, recent seismic events, such as the 2023 Türkiye earthquake, have underscored the susceptibility of modern reinforced concrete structures. Inadequate seismic design, poor detailing practices, and construction deficiencies have been shown to significantly compromise their performance. In countries prone to earthquakes, these issues make safety an even more important concern.

Recent earthquakes across the globe have highlighted the critical importance of employing robust analytical, computational, and experimental approaches to identify and mitigate structural risks. In this context, the Special Issue “Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures” in Buildings brings together research and practical solutions to better understand, protect, and strengthen the built environment.

We welcome researchers from around the world to submit their latest findings, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • New methods for analyzing and understanding the behaviour of building structures;
  • Advances in computational simulations and experimental testing to enhance the accuracy of numerical models;
  • Innovative structural and seismic retrofitting techniques and materials for building structures and their components;
  • Multi-hazard and performance-based seismic assessment frameworks that integrate various risk factors;
  • Strategies for protecting buildings of cultural or historical value, ensuring the preservation of heritage architecture;
  • Soil-structure interaction effects and their influence on building stability and seismic performance.

By bringing together diverse perspectives and state-of-the-art methodologies, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current trends and future directions for improving the structural and seismic performance of buildings.

We warmly invite researchers and practitioners from both academia and industry to share their expertise and latest results.

Sincerely,

Dr. María Victoria Requena García de la Cruz
Dr. Madalena Ponte
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • seismic assessment
  • structural analysis
  • buildings
  • masonry
  • heritage
  • soil-structure interaction
  • reinforced-concrete
  • seismic retrofit

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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29 pages, 2559 KB  
Article
Investigation of Soft Story Irregularity in RC Structures via Pushover Analysis: From 2D Frames to 3D Buildings
by Mehmet Fatih Aydıner and Barış Sevim
Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1790; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091790 - 30 Apr 2026
Abstract
Soft story irregularity poses a critical seismic risk to existing building stocks. While current seismic codes define stiffness irregularity factors to detect this vulnerability, they are typically evaluated based solely on initial elastic properties. This study investigates the evolution of these code-defined factors [...] Read more.
Soft story irregularity poses a critical seismic risk to existing building stocks. While current seismic codes define stiffness irregularity factors to detect this vulnerability, they are typically evaluated based solely on initial elastic properties. This study investigates the evolution of these code-defined factors (ASCE/SEI-7, UBC, NBC, TBEC-2018, and BSL) within the post-elastic range to examine how structural damage affects soft story irregularity. The methodology comprises two phases: a low-strength RC plane frame (Case A) and a parametric study on a 3D RC building with incrementally increased ground story heights (Case B). Nonlinear pushover analyses were conducted to track the variation in irregularity factors at each pushover step and examined graphically. Results demonstrate that soft story behavior is not a static characteristic; irregularity factors deteriorate significantly as plastic hinges form. Crucially, several models that initially satisfied code limits in the elastic range eventually exceeded irregularity thresholds under inelastic behavior. This indicates that relying solely on initial stiffness may mask latent irregularities emerging during seismic actions. Consequently, to capture the true severity of soft story mechanisms, it is recommended that stiffness irregularity factors be evaluated at target displacement levels corresponding to the design earthquake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures)
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28 pages, 1193 KB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Target Displacement Demands in Regular Reinforced Concrete Frames Under Different Seismic Design Codes
by Ercan Işık, Josip Radić, Antonija Ereš and Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko
Buildings 2026, 16(9), 1777; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16091777 - 29 Apr 2026
Abstract
This study presents a comparative investigation of target displacement demands, a fundamental indicator in the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete frame systems, within the framework of the Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBEC-2018), American standards (ASCE 41), and European standards (Eurocode 8). To [...] Read more.
This study presents a comparative investigation of target displacement demands, a fundamental indicator in the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete frame systems, within the framework of the Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBEC-2018), American standards (ASCE 41), and European standards (Eurocode 8). To analyse the consistency in performance levels stipulated by different structural design codes, critical variables, including soil class, number of stories, concrete grade, frame span, and soft story at ground level, were parametrically defined. The impact of these variables on the target displacement demands of the structures was examined through a comparative lens. Nonlinear static pushover analyses based on fiber-based modelling were conducted using SeismoStruct software to determine displacement demands under different seismic code formulations across six distinct variables. The displacements obtained for each variable at identical seismic ground-motion levels were evaluated individually. Analytical results reveal that soil degradation significantly increases target displacements across all codes. At the same time, the presence of a high story affects structural ductility and displacement demands, with varying sensitivities across the codes. Notably, it was observed that TBEC-2018 yields more conservative displacement demands in certain spectral regions than those in ASCE 41 and Eurocode 8. The findings provide critical data for understanding the disparities in safety margins among international seismic design standards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures)
38 pages, 35217 KB  
Article
Nonlinear Seismic Reassessment of an Existing Reinforced Concrete Frame Building: Influence of Masonry Infills Under Intermediate-Depth and Shallow Crustal Earthquake Records
by George Taranu
Buildings 2026, 16(7), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16071392 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 333
Abstract
This paper presents a nonlinear time-history reassessment of an existing reinforced concrete frame building originally designed in 2007 according to the Romanian seismic code P100-1/2006 and re-evaluated under current seismic demand. Two three-dimensional solid finite-element models were developed in ANSYS Workbench 2025 R2: [...] Read more.
This paper presents a nonlinear time-history reassessment of an existing reinforced concrete frame building originally designed in 2007 according to the Romanian seismic code P100-1/2006 and re-evaluated under current seismic demand. Two three-dimensional solid finite-element models were developed in ANSYS Workbench 2025 R2: a bare reinforced concrete frame and an infilled frame with masonry panels. A distinctive feature of the modelling strategy is the explicit representation of longitudinal and transverse reinforcement embedded in the concrete solids, which allows direct tracking of steel stress demand and post-cracking load transfer. The models were subjected to bidirectional ground motions from the Vrancea 1977 and 1990 earthquakes and the Türkiye 2023 earthquake, scaled to the P100-1/2013 target spectrum for the investigated site. The results show that masonry infills markedly increase global stiffness and reduce displacement-related demand, with substantially lower roof displacements and interstorey drift measures in the infilled configuration. The bidirectional response remains predominantly translational, while the local stress and inelasticity fields indicate qualitative concentration zones in the frame, masonry panels, and staircase region. Overall, the study shows that masonry infills can strongly modify the actual seismic response of existing reinforced concrete frame buildings and should be considered explicitly in performance assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures)
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17 pages, 6096 KB  
Article
Dynamic Structural Identification of a Portion of the Medieval Defensive Walls of Verona, Italy, Through Ambient Vibration Test
by Riccardo Mario Azzara, Marco Tanganelli, Francesco Trovatelli and Paolo Venini
Buildings 2026, 16(5), 895; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16050895 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 257
Abstract
The study focuses on the results of the analysis of data recorded during Ambient Vibration Tests (AVT) conducted on a portion of the Medieval Walls of Verona (Northern Italy). Seismometric stations were installed both at the top and at the base of the [...] Read more.
The study focuses on the results of the analysis of data recorded during Ambient Vibration Tests (AVT) conducted on a portion of the Medieval Walls of Verona (Northern Italy). Seismometric stations were installed both at the top and at the base of the walls, recording the free vibrations of the structure. Spectral analyses provide information about the principal modal frequencies, which are compared with the results obtained through Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) techniques. Numerical models were developed to describe the elastic behavior of the walls and to support the interpretation of the experimentally identified modes. Seismic noise measurements were also performed on the ground to characterize the spectral response of the soil and to estimate the soil–structure interaction. The combined use of AVT data, OMA procedures, and numerical modeling allowed for a robust identification of the fundamental dynamic properties of the walls, highlighting the predominance of out-of-plane modes and the limited dynamic coupling with the underlying soil. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of this non-invasive approach for improving the knowledge of structural assessment, reducing uncertainties in mechanical parameter calibration, and supporting informed conservation, maintenance, and risk-mitigation strategies for historic defensive masonry structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures)
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31 pages, 6961 KB  
Article
Displacement Profile Equations for Performance-Based Seismic Design of Concentrically Braced Steel Frames
by Edwin Giovanny Morales and Ana Gabriela Haro-Báez
Buildings 2026, 16(3), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030665 - 5 Feb 2026
Viewed by 296
Abstract
This research focuses on characterizing typical displacement patterns in concentrically braced frame (CBF) systems for use in the direct displacement-based seismic design (DDBD) methodology. Using the finite-element program SeismoStruct, two-dimensional models were developed for nonlinear time–history analysis (NLTHA), employing scaled real accelerograms, conventional [...] Read more.
This research focuses on characterizing typical displacement patterns in concentrically braced frame (CBF) systems for use in the direct displacement-based seismic design (DDBD) methodology. Using the finite-element program SeismoStruct, two-dimensional models were developed for nonlinear time–history analysis (NLTHA), employing scaled real accelerograms, conventional gravity loads, and detailed numerical models. Thirty varied CBF configurations with different numbers of storeys, spans, and bracing types were evaluated. It was found that the conventional displacement profiles, commonly used for moment-resisting frames, do not accurately represent the actual behavior of CBFs in the inelastic range. Therefore, fitted equations were developed and validated to accurately represent the actual displacements of CBF systems, accounting for factors such as the fundamental vibration period and equivalent system damping. These improvements enable the seismic design optimization, advanced displacement and drift control, and strengthen structural safety and performance in high-seismicity zones in the region. This contribution is relevant to performance-based engineering, facilitating a plausible update to regulations and best practices for seismic-resistant design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures)
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13 pages, 1558 KB  
Technical Note
Optimized Fiber Element Modeling Strategy for Concrete-Encased Steel Composite Columns: Focusing on Material Nonlinearity and Confinement Effects
by Seongjin Ha
Buildings 2026, 16(5), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16050999 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 351
Abstract
Reliable numerical simulation of concrete-encased steel (CES) composite columns remains challenging, and practical fiber-element modeling can be sensitive to confinement representation and to discretization and integration choices. Although CES columns offer superior structural performance, accurate simulation is difficult due to the complex interaction [...] Read more.
Reliable numerical simulation of concrete-encased steel (CES) composite columns remains challenging, and practical fiber-element modeling can be sensitive to confinement representation and to discretization and integration choices. Although CES columns offer superior structural performance, accurate simulation is difficult due to the complex interaction between steel and concrete under cyclic loading. Current seismic design codes, such as ASCE/SEI 41-17, often simplify modeling parameters by underestimating composite action, which can lead to uneconomical and overly conservative assessments that do not fully reflect the confining effect of the concrete encasement and the buckling restraint of the steel core. This study proposes a practical guideline for constructing an accurate analytical model for CES columns using nonlinear fiber-element analysis, with a specific focus on material constitutive laws. To validate the proposed strategy, nonlinear analyses were conducted and compared against a comprehensive database of 79 experimental specimens compiled from previous studies. The predicted-to-test peak strength ratio shows a mean of 1.02 (standard deviation of 0.058). Sensitivity studies indicate that responses stabilize beyond ~23 fibers (<1.5% error), reducing computation time by ~40% on average (from 52 to 23 fibers) compared with dense discretization while maintaining reliable hysteretic response prediction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Structural and Seismic Performance of Building Structures)
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