Parametric analysis of nonstructural component acceleration response spectra considering interaction between structures and nonstructural components

The nonstructural component–structure interaction (NSI) is a critical aspect in addressing the seismic design of structures and nonstructural components. However, the NSI is not considered in generating acceleration spectrum, which is the most commonly used tool for seismic design. To study the pattern of the NSI affecting acceleration response spectra of nonstructural components and floors, the acceleration response spectra of a benchmark steel frame structure with different parameters were calculated using a numerical method after the accuracy of the numerical method was verified by carrying out shaking table tests. These parameters are the damping ratio of the nonstructural component, the weight ratio of the nonstructural components to the floor, and the frequency ratio and height ratio of the nonstructural component to the structure. The influence of each parameter on acceleration response spectra was derived by comparing different spectra. The trend of acceleration response spectra of the nonstructural component with different combinations of parameters was compared to determine whether each parameter is relatively independent. This parametric analysis can be applied to calculating acceleration response spectra of the nonstructural component while considering the NSI.