Collapse assessment of a 4-story steel moment-resisting frame

Abstract eng:
Although building seismic codes and standards of practice assume that the probability of collapse is low in very rare earthquake shaking, the likelihood of collapse in such shaking is almost never checked by analysis. This paper discusses analytical modeling of component behavior and structure response from the onset of inelastic deformations to lateral deformations at which a structure becomes dynamically unstable. In this context dynamic instability implies loss of vertical load carrying capacity due to global P- effects and component deterioration. The basis of analytical modeling for collapse prediction is two series of component tests at Stanford University and earthquake-simulator tests on two models of a four-story steel moment frame tested at the NEES facility at the University at Buffalo. The first series of component experiments served to calibrate deterioration behavior based on cyclic tests with symmetric deformation histories. The shaking table tests served to provide a comprehensive set of data on inelastic response through collapse, including reliable data on the actual deformation histories to which critical components were subjected. In the second series of component tests, which was performed after the shaking table tests, advantage was taken of the deformation histories experiences by structural components during the shaking table tests. This led to improved analytical modeling of deterioration and an accurate prediction of inelastic response all the way to collapse. The focus of the paper is on the process of model development and calibration, pre-shaking table test response prediction, model improvements through post-shaking table test component experiments, and post-earthquake simulator test prediction of inelastic response to collapse.

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