Caltech Earthquake Engineering Research Laboratory Technical Reports

Nonlinear seismic behaviour of steel planar moment-resisting frames

Challa, Venkata Ramana Murty (1992) Nonlinear seismic behaviour of steel planar moment-resisting frames. Technical Report: CaltechEERL:1992.EERL-92-01. California Institute of Technology.

Full text available as:

PDF (Adobe PDF (13 MB)) - Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF viewer.

Abstract

The nonlinear response of steel planar moment-resisting frames during strong earthquakes poses a strong need for accurately modelling inelastic behaviour and large displacements. This thesis attempts to provide realistic and efficient analytical tools to aid this study. Two large -displacement small-strain beam-column models are employed to include material and geometric nonlinearities. The first model assumes lumped plasticity, and discretises an element into segments. Axial force-Bending Moment strength interaction and flexural bowing are considered. Ten characteristic segment states are identified. An efficient numerical scheme is suggested to solve the nonlinear governing equations. This model only approximately represents the strength and stiffness of beam-columns. A comprehensive finite element beam-column model is developed to more accurately model the strength and stiffness. A beam-column is discretised into segments, and further, each segment into one-dimensional fibres. A uniaxial cyclic constitutive law valid under arbitrary transient loading is proposed for structural steel. This physically motivated law incorporates the initial yield plateau, and provides explicit expressions for stress in terms of strain throughout the hysteretic path. This law is used to control the hysteretic loading of fibres. A simple semi-empirical model is employed to analytically describe the highly nonlinear hysteretic behaviour of flexible joint panel zones in steel planar frames. Some modelling assumptions that may be made in frame analyses are evaluated. Numerical study of a building frame with flexible joints indicates that its collapse is sensitive to the joint panel zone design in addition to the ground motion.

EPrint Type:Monograph (Technical Report)
Additional Information:PhD, 1992
Subjects:All Records > Earthquake Engineering Research Laboratory
ID Code:230
Deposited By:Caltech Library System
Deposited On:18 January 2002
Record Number:CaltechEERL:1992.EERL-92-01
Official Persistent URL:http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechEERL:1992.EERL-92-01
Usage Policy:You are granted permission for individual, educational, research and non-commercial reproduction, distribution, display and performance of this work in any format.

Archive Staff Only: edit this record