ABSTRACT
Probabilistic performance-based methods are well integrated into earthquake engineering applications. Therefore, the seismic response uncertainty and its sources must be adequately characterized for a more reliable seismic assessment. The paper examines the sensitivity of the RC frames response to the variables defining the constitutive models and their uncertainties. Floor displacements, floor accelerations, and section curvature were used in the sensitivity analysis, and the effect of the input variables defining the nonlinear material behavior on seismic response was investigated. The approach’s algorithm was applied to a reinforced concrete moment-resisting frame. It was found that the variables defining the constitutive models; compressive strength of concrete, yield strength of steel, ratio of confined concrete strength to unconfined strength, variable that influences the shape of transition steel material curve, and modulus of elasticity of steel had a significant influence when considering inelastic behavior. This pattern was more evident for the curvature.
