Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Seismic Performance Comparison of Flat Slab and RC Frame Structures Using Pushover Analysis

Received: 8 August 2025     Accepted: 20 August 2025     Published: 9 December 2025
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Abstract

This study presents an in-depth investigation of seismic performance between flat slab and reinforced concrete (RC) frame structural systems using nonlinear static pushover analysis. This nonlinear static analysis technique generates capacity curves that identify potential failure modes, assess displacement demands, and determine performance levels for each structural system. The goal is to offer better directional insight into the variations of the structural performance for stability, safety, economic efficiency and to flag the pros and cons of each system. This study is significant for addressing the cases of seismically active regions where structural integrity is a key factor and small perimeter change can create disaster. The investigation employs methodology to evaluate the seismic capacity and performance of both structural systems under earthquake loading conditions. This study also evaluates fixed base conditions and uses material properties based on BNBC and geometrical properties of typical mid-rise buildings as limiting conditions. It develops detailed three-dimensional finite element models to simulate the nonlinear behavior of both structures. Results show that flat slab structures are more flexible and vulnerable to earthquakes, while RC frame buildings offer greater strength and better resistance to seismic forces. These findings highlight the importance of structural system selection in improving earthquake resilience.

Published in American Journal of Civil Engineering (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11
Page(s) 313-328
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Conventional RC Frame Building, Flat Slab, Nonlinear Pushover Analysis, Seismic Analysis, Capacity Curve

References
[1] Krawinkler, H. e. (2000). Pushover Analysis of Structural Systems. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 29(2), 283-296.
[2] De Luca, F. e. (2016). Seismic Performance of Flat Slab Structures. Journal of Structural Engineering, 142(5), 1-9.
[3] Al-Tamimi, A. &. (2007). Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Frames with Variable Beam-Column Connections. Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 11(3), 394-410.
[4] R. P. Apostolska, G. S.-C. (October 12-17, 2008). SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF FLAT-SLAB BUILDING. the 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (pp. 1-6). Beijing, China: the 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering.
[5] Chopra, A. K. (1995). Dynamics of structures: theory and applications to earthquake engineering. Choice Reviews Online, 33(02), 33–48.
[6] Miranda, E. &. (1994). Evaluation of strength reduction factors for Earthquake-Resistant design. Earthquake Spectra, 10(2), 357–379.
[7] Bagchi, S. A. (2021). Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Shear. International Journal of Civil Infrastructure, 4, 16-24.
[8] Mellati, A. (2018). Predicting dynamic capacity curve of elevated water tanks: a pushover procedure. Civil Engineering Journal, 4(11), 2513.
[9] Kuria, K. K.-B. (2023). Nonlinear Static Analysis for Seismic Evaluation of Existing RC Hospital Building. Applied Sciences, 13(21), 11626.
[10] Najam, F. A. (2017). Nonlinear Static Analysis Procedures for Seismic Performance Evaluation of Existing Buildings – Evolution and Issues. In Sustainable civil infrastructures, 180–198.
[11] Nishanth, C. L., Swaroop, Y. S., Jagarapu, D. C. K., & Jogi, P. K. (2020). Analysis and design of commercial building with different slab arrangements using ETABS. Materials Today Proceedings, 33, 700–704.
[12] Agency, F. E. (2000). Prestandard and Commentary for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings. Washington, D.C: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[13] Fajfar, P. P. (2000). A nonlinear analysis method for Performance-Based seismic design. Earthquake Spectra, 16(3), 573–592.
[14] Thakkar, N. V. (2017). Comparative study of seismic behavior of flat slab and conventional RC framed structure. International Journal of Engineering Research, 6(4), 923-929.
[15] Sahrooz, B. M. (1990). Evaluation of Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Frames. Journal of Structural Engineering, 146(5), 1403–1422.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Rahman, M. A., Rana, M. S., Anjum, N., Islam, F. (2025). Seismic Performance Comparison of Flat Slab and RC Frame Structures Using Pushover Analysis. American Journal of Civil Engineering, 13(6), 313-328. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11

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    ACS Style

    Rahman, M. A.; Rana, M. S.; Anjum, N.; Islam, F. Seismic Performance Comparison of Flat Slab and RC Frame Structures Using Pushover Analysis. Am. J. Civ. Eng. 2025, 13(6), 313-328. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11

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    AMA Style

    Rahman MA, Rana MS, Anjum N, Islam F. Seismic Performance Comparison of Flat Slab and RC Frame Structures Using Pushover Analysis. Am J Civ Eng. 2025;13(6):313-328. doi: 10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11,
      author = {Md. Atiqur Rahman and Md. Sohel Rana and Nafisa Anjum and Fahmida Islam},
      title = {Seismic Performance Comparison of Flat Slab and RC Frame Structures Using Pushover Analysis},
      journal = {American Journal of Civil Engineering},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {313-328},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajce.20251306.11},
      abstract = {This study presents an in-depth investigation of seismic performance between flat slab and reinforced concrete (RC) frame structural systems using nonlinear static pushover analysis. This nonlinear static analysis technique generates capacity curves that identify potential failure modes, assess displacement demands, and determine performance levels for each structural system. The goal is to offer better directional insight into the variations of the structural performance for stability, safety, economic efficiency and to flag the pros and cons of each system. This study is significant for addressing the cases of seismically active regions where structural integrity is a key factor and small perimeter change can create disaster. The investigation employs methodology to evaluate the seismic capacity and performance of both structural systems under earthquake loading conditions. This study also evaluates fixed base conditions and uses material properties based on BNBC and geometrical properties of typical mid-rise buildings as limiting conditions. It develops detailed three-dimensional finite element models to simulate the nonlinear behavior of both structures. Results show that flat slab structures are more flexible and vulnerable to earthquakes, while RC frame buildings offer greater strength and better resistance to seismic forces. These findings highlight the importance of structural system selection in improving earthquake resilience.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Seismic Performance Comparison of Flat Slab and RC Frame Structures Using Pushover Analysis
    AU  - Md. Atiqur Rahman
    AU  - Md. Sohel Rana
    AU  - Nafisa Anjum
    AU  - Fahmida Islam
    Y1  - 2025/12/09
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11
    T2  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
    JF  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
    JO  - American Journal of Civil Engineering
    SP  - 313
    EP  - 328
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8737
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajce.20251306.11
    AB  - This study presents an in-depth investigation of seismic performance between flat slab and reinforced concrete (RC) frame structural systems using nonlinear static pushover analysis. This nonlinear static analysis technique generates capacity curves that identify potential failure modes, assess displacement demands, and determine performance levels for each structural system. The goal is to offer better directional insight into the variations of the structural performance for stability, safety, economic efficiency and to flag the pros and cons of each system. This study is significant for addressing the cases of seismically active regions where structural integrity is a key factor and small perimeter change can create disaster. The investigation employs methodology to evaluate the seismic capacity and performance of both structural systems under earthquake loading conditions. This study also evaluates fixed base conditions and uses material properties based on BNBC and geometrical properties of typical mid-rise buildings as limiting conditions. It develops detailed three-dimensional finite element models to simulate the nonlinear behavior of both structures. Results show that flat slab structures are more flexible and vulnerable to earthquakes, while RC frame buildings offer greater strength and better resistance to seismic forces. These findings highlight the importance of structural system selection in improving earthquake resilience.
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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