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CHAPTER (5)

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1. Discussion and Conclusion

In this study, six-storey steel residential buildings under seismic zone II and
zone IV are prepared to analyze for design and comparison of connections. The
overall height of the building is 80 ft and it is a rectangular shaped. The total width
and length of the building are 40 ft and 70 ft respectively. For earthquake and wind
forces, loading data are considered from UBC-97. Wind speed of 100 mph is used.
Design load combinations are based on AISC-LRFD 1993. The strength of steel for
the building is used A36 according to ASTM Structural Steel Specifications is used.
The structural elements are designed based on AISC-LRFD 1993. The proposed
building is designed with the material properties of f c'=3 ksi , fy=36 ksi and fu=58 ksi.
Analysis and design for the structure are done by the aid of ETABS (Extended Three-
dimensional Analysis of Building Structure) 2016 software. Design of connections
and calculations are done by the aid of RAM connection software.
Firstly, the structure is analyzed in static analysis condition. Necessary
checking such as overturning moment, sliding, story drift, torsional irregularity and P-
Δ effect are carried out for the stability of the superstructure.
For both models, the same designed member sizes are used and also analyzed
respectively. Column sizes are W12x72 from ground floor to second floor and
W12x50 from third floor to penth house. Beam sizes are W8x18, W8x15 and W6x15
for all floor level and secondary beam W 6x12 is also used for all stories. For slab,
filled-type composite steel slabs are used as floor slabs. For decking material, steel
deck available in local market is chosen. Grade A 36 steel is used for the decking
sheet and 3000 psi concrete is used to fill. Deck thickness is 1mm and deck unit
weight is 2 psf as per code.
For the design of connections, RAM connection software is used to calculate
the design and the results are compared under seismic zone II and zone IV. Single
angle connection is used for shear connection and for moment connection, extended
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end plate connection and flange plate connection are used. For each building, seven
joints are designed with different joint types by using second method of RAM
connection software.
In the comparison of the connection results, In BCF, weld capacity, shear
yielding and rupture for zone IV connection are about two times greater than zone II
connection. The global critical strength ratio is between the limit of 0.7-0.98 but its
ratio is nearer to 0.98. W8x15 beam and W 12x72 column in second floor and W
6x15 beam and W 12x72 columns in second floor are controlled for the comparison.
In BCW, the comparison results are not highly different between the connections of
zone II and IV. The global critical strength ratio also between the limit of 0.7-0.98 but
its ratio is nearer to 0.7. The connections results of zone II and zone IV for BCW 2F
are not considerably different. The results of weld capacity and tension rupture are
almost equal in two zones. However, in fifth floor the results are slightly different
rather than second floor. In BG, weld capacity is the most influential result other than
the results because it is a type of single angle connection. Weld capacity is the most
significant results in all consideration for two zones. In W 6x12 beam and W 8x15
girder in second floor, the results of shear yielding and shear rupture are almost equal
in zone II and zone IV. The global critical strength ratio is under the limit of 0.7-0.98,
it means its ratio is not economic.
In this study, the proposed two buildings are supposed with the same member
and all the beam column connections are moment connection except beam to
secondary connection. The proposed buildings are considered under seismic zone II
and zone IV. The results of the design of connections are all economic and safety
except the shear connection which is to be safe but is uneconomic.

5.2. Recommendations
Recommendations for further research purpose are as follow;
(1) The further research of other shape of buildings such as irregular or other
modern shape should be considered for future research.
(2) Design of steel building should be done by other software such as STAAD-Pro
software.
(3) The global critical strength ratio of beam to girder connection is beyond limit,
so the design of that connection should be checked out to be in limit.