ABSTRACT
THE BEHAVIOUR OF CONNECTIONS IN STEEL MR-FRAMES UNDER HIGH-INTENSITY EARTHQUAKE LOADING Steel connections under high intensity earthquakes
G. DE MATTEIS and F. M. MAZZOLANI Department of Structural Analysis and Design, University of Naples Federico n, Italy R. LANDOLFO DSSAR. University of Chieti G. D'Annunzio, Italy
Abstract Recent earthquakes have clearly shown as the seismic behaviour of steel momentresisting (MR) frames is affected by beam-to-column connections, which may promote the premature collapse of the structure, exhibiting brittle failure modes. Based on field experience arisen from such events, the primary failure causes are analysed and discussed in current paper. Then, a general overview on the suggested upgrading procedures for connection behaviour, emphasising the main aspects enhancing plastic rotation capacity, is provided. Finally, the effect of accurate structural modelling on the assessment of rotation demand is investigated. Keywords: Beam-to-column connections, Earthquake, Seismic design, Steel frames, Strain rate, Structural modelling.
