Minimal-damage steel frames using post-tensioned connections with web hourglass shape pins: design and assessment

Athanasios I Dimopoulos, Theodore L Karavasilis, George Vasdravellis, Brian Uy

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

    Abstract

    A new self-centering steel post-tensioned connection using web hourglass shape steel pins (WHPs) has been recently developed and experimentally validated. The connection isolates inelastic deformations in WHPs, avoids damage in other connection parts as well as in beams and columns, and eliminates residual drifts. WHPs do not interfere with the composite slab and can be very easily replaced without bolting or welding, and so, the connection enables non-disruptive repair and rapid return to building occupancy in the aftermath of a strong earthquake. This paper presents a simplified nonlinear model for the connection and the associated beams and columns that consists of nonlinear beam-column elements, and hys-teretic and contact zero-length spring elements appropriately placed in the beam-column inter-face. The model was calibrated against experimental results and found to accurately simulate the connection behaviour. A prototype building was selected and designed as a conventional steel moment-resisting frame (MRF) according to Eurocode 8 or as a self-centering steel MRF (SC-MRF) using the connection with WHPs. Seismic analyses results show that the conven-tional MRF and the SC-MRF have comparable peak storey drifts, and highlight the inherent potential of the SC-MRF to eliminate damage in beams and residual drifts. The paper also shows that repair of damage in the conventional MRF will be costly and disruptive after the design basis earthquake, and, not financially viable after the maximum considered earthquake due to large residual drifts.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    Event4th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering - Kos Island, Greece
    Duration: 12 Jun 201314 Jun 2013

    Conference

    Conference4th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
    Abbreviated titleCOMPDYN 2013
    Country/TerritoryGreece
    CityKos Island
    Period12/06/1314/06/13

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