Seismic performance of a self-centering steel moment frame building

Abstract

This paper studies the seismic performance of a self-centering moment resisting frame (SCMRF) using post-tensioned (PT) PT connections with top-and-seat angles. A phenomenological model that captures lateral load response and collapse behavior of PT connections is developed and then verified using previous experiments. To study the seismic performance of SC-MRFs, a prototype building, which has SC-MRFs as its lateral force resisting system, is considered for the analytical modeling. A 2D OpenSees model for the SC-MRF is built by using the developed phenomenological model. A conventional welded MRF (WMRF) model, which has the same member sizes is also created. Finally, monotonic pushover analysis and incremental dynamic analysis are performed on both SC-MRF and WMRF models. The static analysis results indicate that the static strength of the SC-MRF is 40% lower than that of the WMRF. The fragility results show that the WMRF has higher collapse resistance, whereas the SC-MRF undergoes smaller residual drift.