This paper addresses the quantification of peak component acceleration demands for acceleration-sensitive nonstructural components attached to or suspended from inelastic structural wall and moment-resisting frame structures. Under certain conditions, for a given ground motion hazard level, inelasticity of the primary structures increases the peak component acceleration demands when compared to the accelerations experienced by the component if the primary structure behaves in the linear elastic range. These conditions include nonstructural components located near the bottom of the structure with periods of vibration that are between the higher modal periods of the supporting structure. This amplification of peak component acceleration demands increases with a decrease in the damping ratio of the component and is more pronounced for structural systems that exhibit a concentration of inelastic behavior near the bottom of the structure. A short discussion on the relevance of these results in the context of current seismic strength demand estimation for nonstructural components is included.
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