Recent earthquake observations (e.g., 1985 Mexican Earthquake) confirm that failures of buildings often involve the torsional mode of response. Study of the data from the extensively instrumented buildings that appear quite symmetric. This project, through the use of simple models, will investigate the observed response of two low- rise buildings, in both the elastic and inelastic domains. The studies also will investigate the response of these same buildings if subjected to a stronger earthquake. Observations pertaining to provisions for future building codes will be provided. The aim is to develop a better comprehension of torsional effects arising from seismic base motion. This research would clarify the not yet well understood phenomena of torsional effects in the dynamic response of low-rise buildings.
