Improving the torsional response of asymmetric buildings with self-centering controlled rocking steel braced frame system

Self-centering controlled rocking steel braced-frame (SC-CR-SBF) is proposed as an earthquake-resistant system with low damage. Pre-stressed vertical strands provide a self-centering mechanism in the system and energy absorbing fuses restrict maximum displacement. Presence of asymmetry in structures can highlight the advantages of employing this structural system. Moreover, these days designing and constructing asymmetric and irregular structures is inevitable and as a result of architectural attractiveness and requirements of different functions of buildings, they are of great importance. Consequently, in these types of structures in order to minimize seismic responses, particular measures should be taken into consideration. Proper distribution of strength and stiffness throughout the plan of structures with self-centering systems can play a considerable role in resolving problems associated with asymmetry in these structures. In this study, the asymmetric buildings with 10% and 20% mass eccentricities and having different arrangements of centers were simulated. The models were analyzed under a set of 22 bidirectional far-field ground-motion records and corresponding responses of maximum roof drift, acceleration and rotation of the roof diaphragms of the structures with different arrangements of the center of mass, stiffness and strength were computed and studied. Results show that proper distribution of stiffness and strength throughout the plan of the structures with SC-CR-SBF system reduces the maximum roof drift as well as the rotation of the roof diaphragm. With appropriate arrangement of the centers, maximum drift response of the asymmetric structure decreases as much as roughly 20% and the ratio of the maximum drift response of the asymmetric structure to the response of the similar symmetric structure with the same overall stiffness and strength was 1.1. In other words, maximum drift response of the asymmetric structure with SC-CR-SBF system is acceptably close to the one for the symmetric building.

Special Moment Resistant Steel Buildings

The seismic response of special moment-resisting frames (SMRF), buckling restrained braced (BRB) frames and self-centering energy dissipating (SCED) braced frames is compared when used in building structures many stories in height. The study involves pushover analysis as well as 2D and 3D nonlinear time history analysis for two ground motion hazard levels. The SCED and BRB braced frames generally experienced similar peak interstory drifts. The SMRF system had larger interstory drifts than both braced frames, especially for the shortest structures. The SCED system exhibited a more uniform distribution of the drift demand along the building height and was less prone to the biasing of the response in one direction due to P-Delta effects. The SCED frames also had significantly smaller residual lateral deformations. The two braced frame systems experienced similar interstory drift demand when used in torsional irregular structures.

Full-Scale Blast Tests on a Conventionally Designed Three-Story Steel Braced Frame with Composite Floor Slabs

This paper summarizes the findings of two full-scale blasts tests on a steel braced frame structure with composite floor slabs, which are representative of a typical office building. The aim of this research study was to experimentally characterize the behavior of conventionally designed steel braced frames to blast loads when enclosed with conventional and blast-resistant façade. The two tests involved a three-story, steel braced frame with concentrical steel braces, which are designed to resist typical gravity and wind loads without design provisions for blast or earthquake loads. During the first blast test, the structure was enclosed with a typical, non-blast-resistant, curtainwall façade, and the steel frame sustained minimal damage. For the second blast test, the structure was enclosed with a blast-resistant façade, which resulted in higher damage levels with some brace connections rupturing, but the building did not collapse. Observations from the test program indicate the appreciable reserved capacity of steel brace frame structures to resist blast loads.