Performances of moment resisting frames with slender steel and composite sections in low and moderate seismic areas

Abstract

Specific investigations have been carried out regarding typical beam profiles commonly used for steel and composite frames. In a first stage, experimental tests on class-3 and class-4 built up steel profiles and composite beam-to-column nodes were performed. The measurement results were evaluated with regard to the development of the hysteretic behavior with particular emphasis on the cyclic degradation. These test results have been used as reference for the calibration and validation of numerical models aiming at extending the scope of the experimental outcomes through appropriate parametric variations regarding the behavior of nodal connections as well as towards the global analysis and behavior of structures made of class 3 and 4 profiles. Based on the outcomes of these investigations, practical design recommendations are finally derived for moment resisting frames located in low and moderate seismicity regions.