Moment Resisting Frames (MRF) should ideally dissipate the seismic energy through the development of plastic hinges in the beams and at the column bases with the purpose to pursue a global failure mechanism. The current seismic design criteria, through hierarchy resistance and ductility requirements, are conceived to achieve this objective. However there are still some inaccuracies in the prediction of the structural performances, mainly under cyclic loadings, as much important as the number of bays and stories augments.
The current paper would give a contribution for deepening key issues related to MRF seismic behavior, presenting the numerical simulation of some literature experimental tests conducted on simple portal MRF subjected to monotonic and cyclic loads both in presence and in absence of vertical loads.
The refined Finite Element structural models of the study systems are developed through the software ABAQUS (v6.13-1). The models set up provide very good replications of both monotonic and hysteretic behaviors in terms of strength, stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation. They represent powerful analysis instruments to perform parametric studies, aiming at detecting the main factors affecting the seismic behavior of MRFs, thus leading towards appropriate design criteria.
Experimental Study of Extended End-Plate Connections in Steel Moment Resisting Frames (Dept.C)
