Seismic response & self-centering capacity of moment resisting frames

Overview

In the case of steel moment resisting frames, according to the design procedures suggested by the Eurocodes, the seismic energy dissipation can be concentrated in beams ends or in joints. In the former case, the design is aimed at promoting the formation of plastic zones in beams through the adoption of full-strength joints and over-strength columns while, in the latter case, the joints are designed to transfer to the columns only a part of the bending moment through the adoption of partial-strength joints.

The main shortcoming of either design approach is the concomitant structural damage which will occur, and which represents the main source of direct and indirect losses, in rare seismic events. In order to overcome these issues, recently, alternative low-damage strategies, based on the inclusion of dampers in connections of moment resisting frames, have been subject to extensive research at the University of Salerno and UCL. In this evening meeting, the speakers will present two novel technologies for low-damage seismic connections: the beam-to-column FREEDAM connection and the self-centering column base connection.