This research project focuses on evaluating the influence of Canadian seismic design provisions on the resistance of reinforced concrete buildings against the differential settlement of their foundation. Three types of moment-resisting frame buildings located Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto are designed in accordance with the latest editions of the National Building Code of Canada and the Canadian concrete design standards. These locations are selected to represent high, moderate, and low seismic hazard regions respectively. The buildings in each location are designed for three span lengths, namely, 4m, 6m and 8m. A total of nine finite element models are developed using SAP2000 with structural element non-linearity being represented through plastic hinges at the ends of beams and columns. Both P-delta effects and the interaction between axial loads and moments are considered in the modeling. A non-linear analysis is performed on each model by gradually subjecting a center column to a settlement of 100mm. The analysis reveals that buildings with a shorter span (e.g., 4m) length are more vulnerable to settlement-
induced damage than buildings with longer spans (e.g., 8m). Failure of the settling column occurs at settlements that exceed the range of maximum allowable differential settlements prescribed in the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual. However, all the studied buildings survive the maximum 0.75-inch settlement allowed by ACI. Failure of the buildings is only observed at excessive settlements such as 50mm for the 4m-span buildings, and 100mm for the 6m-span buildings. The performance level of the buildings suffering from settlement-induced damage is within the category of immediate occupancy stipulated in FEMA 356.