Strength reduction factor of self-centering structures under near-fault pulse-like ground motions

Many studies on the strength reduction factor mainly focused on structures with the conventional hysteretic models. However, for the self-centering structure with the typical flag-shaped hysteretic behavior, the corresponding study is limited. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the strength reduction factor of the self-centering structure with flag-shaped hysteretic behavior subjected to near-fault pulse-like ground motions by the time history analysis. For this purpose, the smooth flag-shaped model based on Bouc-Wen model which can show flag-shaped hysteretic behavior is first described. The strength reduction factor spectra of the flag-shaped model are then calculated under 85 near-fault pulse-like ground motions. The influences of the ductility level, vibration period, site condition, hysteretic parameter, and hysteretic model are investigated statistically. For comparison, the strength reduction factors under ordinary ground motions are also analyzed. The results show that the strength reduction factor from near-fault pulse-like ground motions is smaller. Finally, a predictive model is proposed to estimate the strength reduction factor for the self-centering structure with the flag-shaped model under near-fault pulse-like ground motions.