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Global failure mechanism, i.e., the strong-column weak-beam mechanism, can provide higher total energy dissipation capacity with less ductility demand on components than other failure modes, and results in a more uniform story drift distribution and higher resistance to earthquake loads at the system level. However, the current code-based elastic design method cannot guarantee the global failure mechanism of frame structures under severe earthquakes. In this paper, a simple, but practical design procedure is proposed to ensure the global failure mechanism of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures by redesigning the columns using the column tree method (CTM). CTM considers the yield limit state of all beams and column bases. The code-based design is firstly carried out to determine the section information of all beams and base columns. Then, the internal force demands applied on the column tree can be derived. Lastly, the column moments, shear forces and axial forces are determined according to the free-body diagram of CTM to finish the column redesign. Two RC frame structures with 6 and 12 stories are illustrated to verify the design procedure. The analytical results demonstrate the proposed approach can realize the global failure mechanism.

A building retrofitted with wing walls in the bottom story, which was damaged during the 2008 M8.0 Wenchuan earthquake in China, is introduced and a corresponding 1/4 scale wing wall-frame model was subjected to shake table motions to study the seismic behavior of this retrofitted structural system. The results show that wing walls can effectively protect columns from damage by moving areas that bear reciprocating tension and compression to the sections of the wing walls, thus achieving an extra measure of seismic fortification. A ‘strong column-weak beam＇ mechanism was realized, the flexural rigidity of the vertical member was strengthened, and a more uniform distribution of deformation among all the stories was measured. In addition, the joint between the wing walls and the beams suffered severe damage during the tests, due to an area of local stress concentration. A longer area of intensive stirrup is suggested in the end of the beams.