Displacement amplification factor function for tunnel-form concrete buildings: A case study based on probabilistic and multi-level approaches

Mohsenian, Vahid and Di-Sarno, Luigi (2026) Displacement amplification factor function for tunnel-form concrete buildings: A case study based on probabilistic and multi-level approaches SOIL DYNAMICS AND EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING, 202. 110032-. ISSN 0267-7261, 1879-341X

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Abstract

To date, no study has specifically calculated displacement amplification factors for cast-in-place tunnel-form system, consequently, the accuracy of recommended factors in seismic standards and guidelines remains unclear for this system. To address the challenges, the present study applies probabilistic and multi-level approaches to derive ad-hoc displacement amplification factors for tunnel-form concrete system. Estimating the maximum drift values corresponding to various performance levels in the system is another objective of this study. In the range of 5- and 10-story models studied, the results indicate the inefficiency and insufficiency of code-based displacement amplification factor of 5. Under the design basis earthquake, achieving the actual displacement in some stories requires using the value of 10. Observations suggest that the assumption of uniform damage distribution along the height is inappropriate for tunnel-form system, and thus, the use of uniform displacement amplification factors for the stories and roof is incorrect. In this study, the code-based approach of assigning a uniform displacement amplification factor to all stories is reported undesirable and is recommended to be replaced with a linear function of height. It was also found that the method based on nonlinear pushover analysis is not suitable, as the displacement amplification factor calculated using this method causes significant errors. The investigations also showed that allowable inter-story drifts corresponding to the performance levels of Immediate Occupancy, Life Safety, and Collapse Prevention in tunnel-form system are 0.5 %, 0.8 %, and 1.4 %, respectively. The significant difference between the calculated values and the code-based recommended target drifts (i.e., 2 % and 2.5 % depending on the building height) indicates the inadequacy of the standardized values and underscores the need for their revision and the consideration of tunnel-form concrete system as an independent structural system.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Tunnel-form concrete system, Allowable lateral displacement, Displacement amplification factor, Multi-level approach
Divisions:	Faculty of Science & Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Jan 2026 11:21
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 20:10
DOI:	10.1016/j.soildyn.2025.110032
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3196512
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