Abstract
<jats:p>Modern architectural design and building practice often require engineers to adopt unconventional structural solutions, particularly in mixed-use buildings, large-span sports facilities, and projects involving the retrofit or vertical extension of existing buildings. A suitable solution in such cases is the change of the structural system and material along the height of the building, with the upper floors constructed of a lighter material, such as steel. In the engineering literature, the vertical combination of structural systems along the height is referred to as “hybrid structures”. However, current seismic design provisions, including Eurocode 8, give limited attention to the specific characteristics of such systems, leaving a gap between code provisions and the demands of engineering practice. This paper presents an analysis of the types of buildings in which a change of structural system and material along the height is applied, as well as a review of the seismic design provisions found in a number of leading international standards. In parallel, a brief overview of scientific publications dealing with the dynamic behavior and seismic response of hybrid structures is conducted. The discussion highlights unresolved issues and identifies directions for future investigation in the field of seismic design of hybrid systems.</jats:p>