• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2023

Reinforced concrete (RC) moment frames are used as lateral seismic load resisting systems in mid- and high-rise buildings in different regions of the world. Based on the seismic design provisions and construction details presented in design codes, RC frames with different levels of ductility (ordinary, intermediate, and special) can be designed and constructed. In Iran, there are RC buildings with various uses which have been constructed based on different editions of design codes. The seismic performance of RC structures (particularly moment frames) in real seismic events is of great importance. In this paper, the observations made on damaged RC moment frames after the destructive Sarpol-e Zahab earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.3 are reported. Different levels of damage from the development of cracks in the structural and non-structural elements to the total collapse of buildings were observed. Furthermore, undesirable failure modes which are not expected in ductile seismic-resistant buildings were frequently observed in the damaged buildings. The RC moment frames built based on the previous editions of the design codes showed partial or total collapse in this seismic event. The extensive destruction of RC moment frames compared with the other structural systems (such as braced steel frames and confined masonry buildings) was attributed not only to the deficiencies in the construction practice of these buildings but also to the design procedure. In addition, the failure and collapse of masonry infills in RC moment frames were frequent modes of failure in this seismic event. In this paper, the main reasons related to design practice which led to extensive damage in the RC moment frames and their collapse are addressed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2013

In this study, to have a better judgment on the structural performance, the effects of dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) on seismic behaviour and lateral structural response of mid-rise moment resisting building frames are studied using Finite Difference Method. Three types of mid-rise structures, including 5, 10, and 15 storey buildings are selected in conjunction with three soil types with the shear wave velocities less than 600m/s, representing soil classes $C_e$, $D_e$ and $E_e$, according to Australian Standard AS 1170.4. The above mentioned frames have been analysed under two different boundary conditions: (i) fixed-base (no soil-structure interaction), and (ii) flexible-base (considering soil-structure interaction). The results of the analyses in terms of structural lateral displacements and drifts for the above mentioned boundary conditions have been compared and discussed. It is concluded that the dynamic soil-structure interaction plays a considerable role in seismic behaviour of mid-rise building frames including substantial increase in the lateral deflections and inter-storey drifts and changing the performance level of the structures from life safe to near collapse or total collapse. Thus, considering soil-structure interaction effects in the seismic design of mid-rise moment resisting building frames, particularly when resting on soft soil deposit, is essential.

• Proceedings of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.233-238
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to outline the analysis procedure for evaluating the performance of moment resisting steel frames. For this purpose, three ordinary moment resisting frames are designed in compliance to UBC 1994. The evaluation is performed by nonlinear static procedures using two analytical models. Only one analytical model using panel element can reflect the panel zone deformation explicitly. The limit values in FEMA 273 are used as guidelines of predicted demand parameters by which the performance of OMRFs may be assessed.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

Domestic steel moment resisting frames were designed in accordance with the former KBC2005 and the current KBC2009, and then their seismic performance was evaluated in accordance with FEMA355F by utilizing nonlinear dynamic analysis. The results from the procedure in FEMA355F were different with those from the capacity spectrum method utilizing nonlinear static push-over analysis. In particular, the domestic steel moment resisting frames have a weak panel zone, so their behavior can be estimated more precisely by nonlinear dynamic analysis. The domestic steel moment resisting frames satisfied the performance goal if located at a site class $S_B$ or $S_C$, regardless of the story number and the response modification factor. However, if they are located at a site class $S_D$ or $S_E$, performance goal satisfaction cannot be guaranteed. No matter what standard is used for the design, KBC2005 or KBC2009, the domestic steel moment resisting frames may possess satisfactory seismic performance if the site condition is relatively good.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.65-88
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• 2011

A new method for the seismic design of plane steel moment resisting frames is developed. This method determines the design base shear of a plane steel frame through modal synthesis and spectrum analysis utilizing different values of the strength reduction (behavior) factor for the modes considered instead of a single common value of that factor for all these modes as it is the case with current seismic codes. The values of these modal strength reduction factors are derived with the aid of a) design equations that provide equivalent linear modal damping ratios for steel moment resisting frames as functions of period, allowable interstorey drift and damage levels and b) the damping reduction factor that modifies elastic acceleration spectra for high levels of damping. Thus, a new performance-based design method is established. The direct dependence of the modal strength reduction factor on desired interstorey drift and damage levels permits the control of deformations without their determination and secures that deformations will not exceed these levels. By means of certain seismic design examples presented herein, it is demonstrated that the use of different values for the strength reduction factor per mode instead of a single common value for all modes, leads to more accurate results in a more rational way than the code-based ones.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.17 no.1 s.85
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• pp.51-58
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• 2005

Moment frames have been widely used in building construction. In current design codes, concrete moment frames are classified into ordinary, intermediate, and special moment resisting concrete frames (OMRCF, IMRCF, SMRCF)). The objective of this study is to investigate the seismic behavior of columns in ordinary moment resisting concrete frames (OMRCF) and intermediate moment resisting concrete frames (IMRCF). For this purpose 3 story OMRCF and IMRCF buildings were designed and detailed in compliance to ACI 318 (2002) and KCI (1999). In this study the buildings were assumed to be located in seismic zone 1 classified by UBC (1997). This study considered the columns in the 1st story since these columns shall resist the largest axial and lateral forces during an earthquake. Eight 2/3 scale column specimens were made for representing the upper part and lower part of exterior and interior columns of the OMRCF and the IMRCF Quasi-static reversed cyclic loading was applied to each specimen with a constant or varying axial load. Test results show that seismic behaviors of columns are influenced by existence of lap splices, axial force levels, and lateral reinforcement at possible plastic hinging region. However, the effect of such variables strongly co-related to each other.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.273-290
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• 2011

In current ductility-based earthquake-resistant design, the estimation of design forces continues to be carried out with the application of response modification factors on elastic design spectra. It is well-known that the response modification factor (R) takes into account the force reduction, strength, redundancy, and damping of structural systems. The key components of the response modification factor (R) are force reduction ($R_{\mu}$) and strength ($R_S$) factors. However, the response modification and strength factors for structural systems presented in design codes were based on professional judgment and experiences. A numerical study has been accomplished to evaluate force reduction, strength, and response modification factors for special steel moment resisting frames. A total of 72 prototype steel frames were designed based on the recommendations given in the AISC Seismic Provisions and UBC Codes. Number of stories, soil profiles, seismic zone factors, framing systems, and failure mechanisms were considered as the design parameters that influence the response. The effects of the design parameters on force reduction ($R_{\mu}$), strength ($R_S$), and response modification (R) factors were studied. Based on the analysis results, these factors for special steel moment resisting frames are evaluated.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.609-619
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• 2018

When the irregularities occurred in buildings, affect their seismic performance. This paper has focused on one of the types of irregularities at the height that named setback in elevation. For this purpose, several multistorey Reinforced Concrete Moment Resisting Frames (RCMRFs) with different types of setbacks were designed according to new edition of Iranian seismic code. The nonlinear time history analysis was performed to predict the seismic performance of frames subjected to seven input ground motions. The assessment of the seismic performance was done considering both global and local criteria. Results showed that the current edition of Iranian seismic code needs to be modified in order to improve the seismic behaviour of reinforced concrete moment resisting setback buildings. It was also shown that the maximum damages happen at the elements located in the vicinity of the setbacks. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen these elements by appropriate modification of Iranian seismic code.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.295-315
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• 2014

This paper presents the results of an analytical study on seismic reliability of viscoelastically damped frame systems in comparison with that of conventional moment resisting frame systems. In order to exhibit the reliability of the frame systems with viscoelastic dampers, seismic reliability analyses were carried out for steel framed buildings, 5 and 12 storeys in height, designed as: (a) Case 1: Conventional moment resisting frame, (b) Case 2: Frame with viscoelastic dampers providing supplemental effective damping ratio of 10%, and (c) Case 3: Frame with viscoelastic dampers providing supplemental effective damping ratio of 20%. Nonlinear time history analyses were utilized to develop seismic fragility curves whilst monitoring various performance objectives. To obtain robust estimators of the seismic reliability, a database including 15 natural earthquake ground motion records with markedly different characteristics was employed in the fragility analysis. The results indicate that depending upon the supplemental effective damping ratio, frames designed with viscoelastic dampers have considerably lower annual probability of exceedance of performance limit states for structural components, showing up to a five-fold reduction in comparison to conventionally designed moment resisting frame system.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.617-630
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• 2010

Different types of moment resisting connections are commonly used to transfer the induced seismic moments between frame elements in an earthquake resisting structure. The local connection behavior may drastically affect the global seismic response of the structure. In this study, the finite element and experimental seismic investigations are implemented on two frequently used connection type to evaluate the local behavior and to reveal the failure modes. An alternative connection type is then proposed to eliminate the unfavorable brittle fracture modes resulted from probable poor welding quality. This will develop a reliable predefined ductile plastic mechanism forming away from the critical locations. Employing this technique, the structural reliability of the moment resisting connections shall be improved by achieving a controllable energy dissipation source in form of yielding of the cover plates.