Seismic design, modelling and assessment of self-centering steel frames using post-tensioned connections with web hourglass shape pins

Athanasios Dimopoulos, Theodore Karavasilis, George Vasdravellis, Brian Uy

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    73 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    A new self-centering steel post-tensioned connection using web hourglass shape
    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
    hysteretic and contact zero-length spring elements appropriately placed in the beam-column
    interface. 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 selfcentering
    steel MRF (SC-MRF) using the connection with WHPs. Seismic analyses results
    show that the conventional 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 conventionalMRF 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
    Pages (from-to)1797-1816
    Number of pages20
    JournalBulletin of Earthquake Engineering
    Volume11
    Issue number5
    Early online date5 Mar 2013
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

    Keywords

    • self-centering
    • post-tensioned
    • seismic design

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Civil and Structural Engineering

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