Evaluation of Code Accidental-Torsion Provisions Using Earthquake Records from Buildings

Building code provisions for accidental torsion are evaluated from analysis of earthquake-induced motions of three nominally-symmetric-plan buildings. The results demonstrate that the accidental torsional moments specified by the Uniform Building Code are more than sufficient in representing the torsion in the recorded motions of these three buildings. It is also demonstrated that accidental torsion need not be considered at all in the design of two of the three buildings considered.