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PRJ-5763 | Quantification of Seismic Column Rotation in Steel Special Moment Frames via Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis
PI
Co-PIs
Project TypeSimulation
Natural Hazard Type(s)Earthquake
KeywordsEarthquake Engineering, Seismic Local Buckling Limits, Column Rotation, Steel Structures
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Description:

This project focuses on investigating the rotational behavior of columns in Steel Special Moment Frames (SMFs) under seismic loading conditions. Specifically, the study aims to evaluate the column end rotations induced by a variety of ground motions at the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) level, simulating seismic events to quantify the column rotations during intense earthquake scenarios. The analysis spans buildings with different story heights—4, 8, 12, and 16 stories—and explores the relationship between column rotations and story drift angles. The prototype buildings are designed according to the 2022 specifications and 2016 seismic b/t limits. The columns are designed to be lightweight, without the use of doubler plates, and are modeled with fixed bases. Numerical simulations were performed using OpenSees, a nonlinear finite element (FEM) software for structural analysis, to determine the dynamic response of SMF columns under seismic loading. A total of 44 distinct ground motions, representing a wide range of seismic events at the MCE level, were incorporated into the simulations. The primary objective was to measure the column rotations and quantify their performance under varying seismic forces. By examining peak rotations and rotational patterns, the study assesses the effectiveness of seismic local buckling design. The findings help establish critical rotation thresholds, beyond which substantial damage or failure may occur. These results will contribute to the ongoing work of the AISC Ad Hoc Task Group on Seismic Local Buckling Limits (2027 Cycle) and inform the development of updated provisions for the upcoming revision of AISC 341. Ultimately, this research aims to refine seismic design guidelines, improving the safety and performance of steel moment frames under earthquake loading conditions.

Simulation | Column End Rotation Dataset
Cite This Data:
Fahnestock, L., S. Shi (2024). "Column End Rotation Dataset", in Quantification of Seismic Column Rotation in Steel Special Moment Frames via Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis. DesignSafe-CI. https://doi.org/10.17603/ds2-5pqt-9q97

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Simulation TypeStructural
Author(s);
Date Published2024-12-09
DOI10.17603/ds2-5pqt-9q97
License
 Open Data Commons Attribution
Description:

The investigation focused on understanding the rotational behavior of columns in Steel Special Moment Frames (SMFs) under seismic loading conditions. Specifically, the study aimed to assess the column end rotations induced by various ground motions at the MCE (Maximum Considered Earthquake) level, simulating seismic events to evaluate the performance of these structural elements during intense earthquake scenarios. The testing process was conducted through numerical simulations using OpenSees to determine the dynamic response of SMF columns. The simulation involved 44 different ground motions, representing a range of seismic events at the MCE level, to understand how the columns in SMFs perform under varying seismic forces. The primary focus was on measuring the rotation at the ends of the columns. By analyzing the peak column end rotations, it was possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the seismic local buckling design and assess whether the columns could sustain large deformations without leading to structural collapse. The study helped establish a clearer understanding of the thresholds for column rotation beyond which significant damage or failure may occur, providing a basis for design improvements.

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