Impact of introducing semi-rigid moment frames on seismic response of braced frames

Abstract

Maximum seismic inelastic drift demand in a steel building with braced frames as primary seismic-force-resisting (SFR) system tends to concentrate in few stories without considering inherent participation of designed gravity-force-resisting (GFR) system in actual structural stiffness and strength. The influence of GFR system on stiffness and strength can be taken into account by considering the composite action in beam-to-column shear connections that exist in modern steel building construction to form actual semi-rigid moment-resisting frames. Therefore, modeling semi-rigid moment frames as an equivalent to the GFR system in braced frame buildings could be utilized as a representative to the strength provided by gravity frames. This paper presents a seismic evaluation of a six-story chevron braced frame, with and without semi-rigid moment frame. Four different cases are investigated under a set of ground motions and results are discussed in terms of story drift distribution along the height. The results pointed out that the current findings lay a foundation to conduct further investigation on the seismic performance of braced frames as designed SFR system together with GFR system.