Seismic Analysis and Design of an Industrial Complex of Buildings Located in Ecuador

This paper presents the seismic analysis and design of an industrial complex of buildings located near the city of Guayaquil-Ecuador. The industrial complex is composed of 4 structural steel buildings with a height of 48 m. Since the buildings are located in a high seismic region, a detailed and careful study was performed in order to select the most suitable structural systems to withstand the design earthquake forces. Moment Resisting Frames having Concrete-Filled Tube columns (CFT-MRFs) and Concentrically Braced Frames (CBFs) were the structural systems used for the seismic load resistant of the buildings. Each of the buildings has irregularities in elevation. This paper provides a review of the most relevant aspects related to the analysis and design of CFT-MRF and CBF systems for industrial buildings. A design procedure was developed following the Ecuadorian and American Codes seismic requirements. One of the most important criteria evaluated for the seismic analysis and design was the building separation to minimize the possibility of pounding of the buildings. Special attention was given to the connection detailing since the owner required the use of field bolted connections instead of field welded connections. Finally, some constructive issues that emerged during the execution of the construction of the project are summarized.