Comparison study of seismic design methods for subway structures

A variety of seismic design methods for subway structures, which are present popular in China, are introduced, including the response displacement method (RDM), modified cross section racking deformation method (MCSRDM), the response acceleration method (RAM) and the pushover analysis method (PAM). A comparison calculation was then made for the same typical subway structural cross-section under the same typical geological conditions in Beijing by use of all above methods and dynamic time history analysis method. It was shown that the calculated results gained from the RDM, whose coefficient of dynamic subgrade reaction was based on Japanese railway earthquake-resistance designing code or static finite element, the MCSRDM, the RAM and the PAM were close to that from the dynamic analysis method. It provided some reference for practical seismic design of subway structures in the future.