Seismic Resistance Steel Building Structures

Design of Seismic-Resistant Steel
Building Structures in the USA : An

Overview
THE 5th JORDANIAN INTERNATIONAL

CIVIL ENGINEERING CONFERENCE
January 19th, 2012
Faris A Malhas, PE, PhD, Fellow ACI

Dean & Professor
College of Architecture, Design & Technology
Bowling Green State University
Design of Seismic-Resistant Steel Building Structures: A
Brief Overview
 Earthquake Effects on Structures

 Performance of Steel Buildings in Past Earthquakes
 Importance of Ductility
 Design Earthquake Forces: ASCE-7
 Steel Seismic Load Resisting Systems
 AISC Seismic Provisions
 Ordinary Moment Frames- A Closer Look
Building
Acceleration
Building:
Mass = m
Ground
Acceleration
F = ma
Earthquake Forces
on Buildings:
Inertia Force Due to
Accelerating Mass
Landslides Collapse of RC Buildings
Collapse of RC Buildings
Other Causes
Collapse of Timber
Buildings
Landslides
Fire Collapse of Other Causes Collapse of

Masonry Buildings Masonry Buildings
Collapse of Timber
Buildings
Fire
Earthquake Fatalities: 1900 - 1949 Earthquake Fatalities: 1950 - 1990

(795,000 Fatalities) (583,000 Fatalities)
Causes of Earthquake Fatalities: 1900 to 1990

Conventional Building Code Philosophy for
Earthquake-Resistant Design
Objective: Prevent collapse in the extreme

earthquake likely to occur at a
building site.
Objectives are not to:

- limit damage
- maintain function
- provide for easy repair
To Survive Strong Earthquake
without Collapse:
Design for Ductile Behavior

H
Ductility = Inelastic Deformation

H
H
H
Δyield Δfailure
Δfailure
Ductility Factor μ =
Δyield
H H
Helastic
3/4 *Helastic
1/2 *Helastic
Strength
Req’d Ductility
1/4 *Helastic
MAX
Ductility in Steel Structures: Yielding
Nonductile Failure Modes: Fracture or Instability
Ductility = Yielding
H
Failure =
Fracture
or
Instability
Developing Ductile Behavior:
Behavior
• Choose frame elements ("fuses") that will yield in an

earthquake.
• Detail "fuses" to sustain large inelastic deformations prior to
the onset of fracture or instability (i.e. , detail fuses for
ductility).
• Design all other frame elements to be stronger than the fuses,
i.e., design all other frame elements to develop the plastic
capacity of the fuses.
(a) (b)
Examples of:
(a) More Ductile Behavior
(b) Less Ductile Behavior
Key Elements of Seismic-Resistant Design
Required Lateral Strength

ASCE-7:
Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures
Detailing for Ductility

AISC:
Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings
Design EQ Loads – Total Lateral Force per ASCE 7-10:
V = total design lateral

force or shear at
base of structure
W = effective seismic
weight of building
CS = seismic response
coefficient
V
Design EQ Loads – Total Lateral Force per ASCE 7-10:
for T  TL
SDS
CS  
R SD1TL
 
 I  for T > TL
2 R 
T  
 I 
SDS = design spectral I = importance factor
acceleration at
short periods T = fundamental period of building
SD1 = design spectral TL = long period transition period
acceleration at
1-second period R = response modification coefficient
R factors for Selected Steel Systems (ASCE 7):
SMF (Special Moment Resisting Frames): R=8

IMF (Intermediate Moment Resisting Frames): R = 4.5
OMF (Ordinary Moment Resisting Frames): R = 3.5
EBF (Eccentrically Braced Frames): R = 8 or 7
SCBF (Special Concentrically Braced Frames): R=6
OCBF (Ordinary Concentrically Braced Frames): R = 3.25
BRBF (Buckling Restrained Braced Frame): R = 8 or 7
SPSW (Special Plate Shear Walls): R=7
Undetailed Steel Systems in

Seismic Design Categories A, B or C R=3
(AISC Seismic Provisions not needed)
Seismic Load Resisting Systems for Steel Buildings
 Moment Resisting Frames

 Concentrically Braced Frames
 Eccentrically Braced Frames
 Buckling Restrained Braced Frames
 Special Plate Shear Walls
MOMENT RESISTING FRAME (MRF)
Beams and columns with moment resisting connections; resist lateral

forces by flexure and shear in beams and columns - i.e. by frame
action.
Develop ductility primarily by flexural yielding of

the beams:
Advantages
• Architectural Versatility
• High Ductility and Safety
Disadvantages
• Low Elastic Stiffness
Moment Resisting Frame
Inelastic Response
of a Steel Moment
Resisting Frame
Concentrically Braced Frames (CBFs)
Beams, columns and braces arranged to form a vertical truss. Resist
lateral earthquake forces by truss action.
Develop ductility through inelastic action in braces.

- braces yield in tension
- braces buckle in compression
Advantages
- high elastic stiffness
Disadvantages
- less ductile than other systems (SMFs, EBFs, BRBFs)
- reduced architectural versatility
Types of CBFs
Single Diagonal Inverted V- Bracing V- Bracing
X- Bracing Two Story X- Bracing

Inelastic Response of CBFs under Earthquake Loading
Tension Brace: Yields Compression Brace: Buckles

(ductile) (nonductile)
Columns and beams: remain essentially elastic

Compression Brace (previously Tension Brace (previously in

in tension): Buckles compression): Yields
(nonductile) (ductile)

Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBFs)
• Framing system with beam, columns and braces. At least one end of every
brace is connected to isolate a segment of the beam called a link.
• Resist lateral load through a combination of frame action and truss action.
EBFs can be viewed as a hybrid system between moment frames and
concentrically braced frames.
• Develop ductility through inelastic action in the links.
• EBFs can supply high levels of ductility (similar to MRFs), but can also
provide high levels of elastic stiffness (similar to CBFs)
e Link
e Link
e Link
e Link
Some possible bracing arrangement for EBFS
e e e e
e
e
Inelastic Response of EBFs
Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames (BRBFs)
• Type of concentrically braced frame.
• Beams, columns and braces arranged to form a vertical truss.
Resist lateral earthquake forces by truss action.
• Special type of brace members used: Buckling-Restrained Braces
(BRBs). BRBS yield both in tension and compression - no buckling
!!
• Develop ductility through inelastic action (cyclic tension and

compression yielding) in BRBs.
• System combines high stiffness with high ductility.

Buckling-Restrained Brace
Buckling- Restrained
Brace:
Steel Core
+
Casing
Casing
Steel Core
Brace:
A
Steel Core
+
A
Casing
Casing Steel Core

Steel jacket
Mortar
Debonding material
Section A-A
P P
Steel core resists entire axial force P

Casing is debonded from steel core
- casing does not resist axial force P
- flexural stiffness of casing restrains buckling of core
Brace:
Steel Core
+
Casing
Steel Core
Yielding Segment
Core projection and

brace connection
segment
Bracing Configurations for BRBFs
Single Diagonal Inverted V- Bracing V- Bracing
X- Bracing Two Story X- Bracing

Inelastic Response of BRBFs under Earthquake Loading
Tension Brace: Yields Compression Brace: Yields

Compression Brace: Yields Tension Brace: Yields

Special Plate Shear Walls (SPSW)
• Assemblage of consisting of rigid frame, infilled with thin steel
plates.
• Under lateral load, system behaves similar to a plate girder. Wall
plate buckles under diagonal compression and forms tension field.
• Develop ductility through tension yielding of wall plate along

diagonal tension field.
• System combines high stiffness with high ductility.

Plate-Girder Analogy
Inelastic Response of a SPSW
Development of
tension diagonals
Shear buckling
Design of Seismic-Resistant Steel Building Structures: A
Brief Overview
 Earthquake Effects on Structures

 Performance of Steel Buildings in Past Earthquakes
 Building Code Philosophy foCr Earthquake-Resistant Design and Importance
of Ductility
 Design Earthquake Forces: ASCE-7
 Steel Seismic Load Resisting Systems
 AISC Seismic Provisions
 Ordinary Moment Frames- A Closer Look
The AISC Seismic Design Manual
This six-part manual supports the AISC Seismic
Provisions. It includes sections on
1- general design considerations
2- design of systems utilizing R = 3 (braced and
moment frames)
3- design of braced-frame systems utilizing R > 3
4- design of moment frame systems utilizing R > 3
5- design of other systems utilizing R > 3.
The AISC Seismic Design Manual also includes

printed versions of ANSI/AISC 341-05 and
ANSI/AISC 358-05.
2010 AISC Seismic Provisions
AISC 2010 Seismic Provisions for
Structural Steel Buildings
A. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
B. GENERAL DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
C. ANALYSIS
D. GENERAL MEMBER AND CONNECTION DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
E. MOMENT-FRAME SYSTEMS
F. BRACED-FRAME AND SHEAR-WALL SYSTEMS
G. COMPOSITE MOMENT-FRAME SYSTEMS
H. COMPOSITE BRACED-FRAME AND SHEAR-WALL SYSTEMS
I. FABRICATION AND ERECTION
J. QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
K. PREQUALIFICATION AND CYCLIC QUALIFICATION TESTING
PROVISIONS
AISC Seismic Provisions:
Seismic Load Resisting System (SLRS)
Assembly of structural elements in the building

that resists seismic loads, including struts,
collectors, chords, diaphragms and trusses
Occupancy Categories (ASCE 7-10)
Occupancy Category Description Importance Factor I
Essential facilities
(Hospitals, fire and police stations,
IV emergency shelters, etc) 1.5
Structures containing extremely
hazardous materials
Structures that pose a substantial
hazard to human life in the event of
failure
III 1.25
(buildings with 300 people in one area, day
care facilities with capacity more than 150,
schools with a capacity more than 250, etc)
Buildings not in Occupancy Categories

II I, III, or IV 1.0
(most buildings)
Buildings that represent a low hazard to

human life in the event of failure
I (agricultural facilities, temporary facilities,
1.0
minor storage facilities)
Glossary - Selected Terms
Seismic Design Category (SDC)

Classification assigned to a structure based on its
Occupancy Category and the severity of the
anticipated ground motions at the site
SDCs: A
Increasing seismic risk
B
and
C
Increasingly stringent seismic
D design and detailing
requirements
E
F
To Determine the Seismic Design Category (ASCE 7-10):
Determine Occupancy Category
Determine SS and S1
SS = spectral response acceleration for maximum considered earthquake at short periods
S1 = spectral response acceleration for maximum considered earthquake at 1-sec period Ss
and S1 are read from maps (or from USGS website)
Determine Site Class

Site Class depends on soils conditions - classified according to shear wave velocity,
standard penetration tests, or undrained shear strength
Determine SMS and SM1

Spectral response accelerations for maximum considered earthquake
adjusted for the Site Class;
SMS = Fa Ss SM1 = Fv S1
Fa and Fv depend on Site Class and on Ss and S1
Determine SDS and SD1

Design spectral response accelerations
SDS = 2/3 x SMS SD1 = 2/3 x SM1
Seismic Hazard Maps
 Interactive program available from USGS website.

 Seismic design values for buildings
 Input longitude and latitude at site, or zip code
 Output SS and S1
 http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/design/
To Determine the Seismic Design Category (ASCE 7-10):
Evaluate Seismic Design Category According to Tables 11.6-1 and 11.6-2;

The Seismic Design Category is the most severe value based on both Tables.
Table 11.6-1
Seismic Design Category Based on Short Period Response
Accelerations
Occupancy Category
Value of
SDS I or II III IV
SDS< 0.167g A A A
0.167g ≤ SDS < 0.33g B B C
0.33g ≤ SDS < 0.50g C C D
0.50g ≤ SDS Da Da Da
a
For sites with S1 ≥ 0.75g: Seismic Design Category = E for OC I, II, or III
Seismic Design Category = F for OC IV
Table 11.6-2
Seismic Design Category Based on 1-Second Period Response
Accelerations
Occupancy Category
Value of
SD1 I or II III IV
SD1< 0.067g A A A
0.067g ≤ SD1 < 0.133g B B C
0.133g ≤ SD1 < 0.20g C C D
0.20g ≤ SD1 Da Da Da
a
For sites with S1 ≥ 0.75g: Seismic Design Category = E for OC I, II, or III
Seismic Design Category = F for OC IV
Scope
The Seismic Provisions apply to the seismic

load resisting system (SLRS) and to splices in
columns not part of the SLRS
The Seismic Provisions are used in conjunction

with the AISC Specification for Structural Steel
Buildings
Scope (cont)
Use of Seismic Provisions is mandatory for

Seismic Design Category D, E or F.
Use of Seismic Provisions are mandatory for

Seismic Design Categories A, B or C; when using
R>3
For Seismic Design Categories A, B or C: can

design using R=3, and provide no special detailing
(just design per main AISC Specification)
General Seismic Design Requirements
Go to the Applicable Building Code for:
• Occupancy Category
• Seismic Design Category
• Limits on Height and Irregularity
• Drift Limitations
• Required Strength
Loads and Load Combinations
Go to the Applicable Building Code for Loads

and Load Combinations.
Basic LRFD Load Combinations (ASCE-7):
1.4D
1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5(Lr or S or R)
1.2D + 1.6(Lr or S or R) + (0.5L or 0.8W)
1.2D + 1.6W + 0.5L + 0.5(Lr or S or R)
0.9D + 1.6W
Load Combinations
1.2D + 1.0E + 0.5L + 0.2S Including E
0.9D + 1.0E
Definition of E for use in basic load combinations:
For Load Combination: 1.2D + 1.0E + 0.5L + 0.2S
E = ρ QE + 0.2 SDS D
For Load Combination: 0.9D + 1.0E
E = ρ QE - 0.2 SDS D
E = ρ QE  0.2 SDS D
effect of horizontal forces effect of vertical forces
E = the effect of horizontal and vertical

earthquake-induced forces
QE = effect of horizontal earthquake-
induced forces
SDS = design spectral acceleration at short
periods
D = dead load effect
ρ = reliability factor
(depends on extent of redundancy in
the seismic lateral resisting system;
ρ varies from 1.0 to 1.5)
Substitute E into basic load combinations:
substitute: E = ρ QE + 0.2 SDS D
(1.2 + 0.2 SDS) D + 1.0 ρ QE + 0.5L +0.2S
substitute: E = ρ QE - 0.2 SDS D
(0.9 - 0.2 SDS) D + 1.0 ρ QE

Loads and Load Combinations (cont.)
Where amplified seismic loads are required by

the AISC Seismic Provisions:
The horizontal portion of the earthquake load E

shall be multiplied by the overstrength factor o
prescribed by the applicable building code.
Definition of Amplified Seismic Load (ASCE-7)
Amplified Seismic Load: E = Ωo QE + 0.2 SDS D
Amplified Seismic Load: E = Ωo QE - 0.2 SDS D

Basic load combinations incorporating
Amplified Seismic Load:
substitute: E = Ωo QE + 0.2 SDS D
(1.2 + 0.2 SDS) D + Ωo QE + 0.5L +0.2S
substitute: E = Ωo QE - 0.2 SDS D
(0.9 - 0.2 SDS) D + Ωo QE

Seismic Overstrength Factor: Ωo
Per ASCE-7:
System Ωo
Moment Frames (SMF, IMF, OMF) 3
Concentrically Braced Frames (SCBF, OCBF) 2
Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBF) 2
Special Plate Shear Walls (SPSW) 2
Buckling Restrained Braced Frames (BRBF)
- moment resisting beam-column
2.5
connections
- non-moment resisting beam-column
connections 2
Amplified Seismic Load
Lateral Seismic Force
Ωo Qe
Qe
Frame Lateral Deflection
Amplified Seismic Load, ΩoQe, is intended to provide an

estimate of a frame's plastic lateral strength
Material Specifications
For members in which inelastic behavior is

expected:
Specified minimum Fy ≤ 50 ksi ( 345 MPa)
Exceptions:
• Columns for which only expected yielding
is at the base;
• Members in OMFs and OCBFs (permitted
to use up to Fy = 55 ksi (380 MPa) )
2 Material Properties for Determination of Required Strength of Members
and Connections
Expected Yield Strength = Ry Fy

Expected Tensile Strength = Rt Fu
Fy = minimum specified yield strength

Fu = minimum specified tensile strength
Ry and Rt are based on statistical analysis of

mill data.
Table I-6-1
Ry and Rt Values for Different Member Types
Application Ry Rt
Hot-Rolled Shapes and Bars:
ASTM A36 1.5 1.2
ASTM A572 Gr 42 1.1 1.1
ASTM A992; A572 Gr 50 or Gr 55;
ASTM A913 Gr 50, 60 or 65; ASTM A588;
A1011 HSLAS Gr 50 1.1 1.1
ASTM A529 Gr 50 1.2 1.2
ASTM A529 Gr 55 1.1 1.2
Hollow Structural Sections (HSS):
ASTM A500 Gr B or Gr C; ASTM A501 1.4 1.3
Pipe:
ASTM A53 1.6 1.2
Plates:
ASTM A36 1.3 1.2
ASTM A572 Gr50; ASTM A588 1.1 1.2
Example: A36 angles used for brace in an SCBF
Fy = 36 ksi ( 250 MPa)

Fu = 58 ksi ( 400 MPa)
Ry Fy = 1.5  36 ksi = 54 ksi (372 MPa)
Rt Fu = 1.2  58 ksi = 70 ksi (482 MPa)
Example: A992 wide flange used for beam in an SMF
Fy = 50 ksi (345 MPa)

Fu = 65 ksi (450 MPa)
Ry Fy = 1.1  50 ksi = 55 ksi (380MPa)
Rt Fu = 1.1  65 ksi = 72 ksi (500 MPa)
Material Properties for Determination of Required Strength of
Members and Connections (cont)
Where specified in the Seismic Provisions, the

required strength of a member or connection shall
be based on the Expected Yield Strength, Ry Fy of
an adjoining member.
The Expected Tensile Strength, Rt Fu and the

Expected Yield Strength, Ry Fy may be used to
compute the nominal strength for rupture and
yielding limit states within the same member.
Example: SCBF Brace and Brace Connection
To size brace member:
Required Strength defined by code

specified forces (using ASCE-7 load
combinations)
Design Strength of member computed

using minimum specified Fy
Example: SCBF Brace and Brace Connection (cont)
Ry F y Ag
Required Axial Tension Strength of

brace connection is the expected yield
strength of bracing member = Ry Fy Ag
Ry F y Ag
Gusset Plate:
Compute design strength using min
specified Fy and Fu of gusset plate
material
Ry F y Ag
Bolts:
Compute design shear strength using
min specified Fu of bolt
Ry F y Ag
Net Section Fracture and Block Shear

Fracture of Bracing Member:
Compute design strength using expected
yield strength, RyFy and expected tensile
strength, Rt Fu of the brace material.
Connections
1 Bolted Joints
3 Welded Joints
4 Protected Zone
5 Continuity Plates and Stiffeners
Connections, Joints and Fasteners
Scope
Connections, joints and fasteners that are part of the seismic

load resisting system (SLRS) shall comply with the AISC
Specification Chapter J, and with the additional requirements in
this section.
Connections in the SLRS shall be configured such that a

ductile limit state in either the connection or in the connected
member controls the design.
Connections
Bolted Joints
Requirements for bolted joints:

• All bolts must be high strength (A325 or A490)
• Bolted joints may be designed as bearing type connections, but must
be constructed as slip critical
- bolts must be pretensioned
- faying surfaces must satisfy Class A surface requirements
• Holes: standard size or short-slots perpendicular to load
(exception: oversize holes are permitted for diagonal brace
connections, but the connection must be designed as slip-critical and
the oversize hole is permitted in one ply only)
• Nominal bearing strength at bolt holes cannot exceed 2.4 d t Fu
Connections, Joints and Fasteners

Bolted Joints (cont)
Bolts and welds shall not be designed to share

force in a joint, or the same force component in a
connection.
Bolts and welds sharing same
force:
Not Permitted
Fig. C-I-7.1a. Desirable details that avoid shared forces between welds and bolts.
Connections
Welded Joints
Welding shall be performed in accordance with a

welding procedure specification (WPS) as required
in AWS D1.1 and approved by the engineer of
record.
WPS variables (voltage, current, wire feed speed,
etc) shall be within the limits recommended by the
filler metal manufacturer.
Connections
Welded Joints - General Requirements
All welds in the SLRS shall have a minimum

Charpy V-Notch (CVN) toughness of:
20 ft-lbs at 0 oF
2.7 centimeter- KN @ -18o C
CVN rating of filler metal may be determined using

AWS classification test methods.
AISC Seismic Provisions: - Connections
Protected Zone
Portions of the SLRS designated as a Protected Zone,

shall comply with the following:
• No welded shear studs are permitted.
• No decking attachments that penetrate the beam
flange are permitted (no powder actuated fasteners);
but, decking arc spot welds are permitted.
• No welded, bolted, screwed, or shot-in attachments
for edge angles, exterior facades, partitions, duct
work, piping, etc are permitted.
• Discontinuities from fabrication or erection operations
(such as tack welds, erection aids, etc) shall be
repaired.
Examples of Protected Zones: SMF
Protected Zones
Examples of Protected Zones: SCBF
Protected Zones
Examples of Protected Zones: EBF
Protected Zones
Classification of Sections for Local Buckling
Local buckling of members can significantly affect both strength and

ductility of the member.
Members of the SLRS that are expected to experience significant

inelastic action (e.g. beams in SMF, braces in SCBF, links in EBF,
etc), must satisfy strict width-thickness limits to assure adequate
ductility can be developed prior to local buckling.
Such members must be seismically compact.
For seismically compact sections, the width-thickness ratios of the

elements of the cross-section cannot exceed ps, as specified in
Table I-8-1.
Local buckling of a moment frame beam.....
Local buckling of an EBF link.....
Effect of Local Buckling on Flexural Strength and Ductility

M
Mp
Increasing b / t

Effect of Local Buckling on Flexural Strength and Ductility
Plastic Buckling
Moment Capacity
Mp Inelastic Buckling
0.7My Elastic Buckling
ps p r Width-Thickness Ratio

Ductility
Column Splices
Column Splices
Column splices in any SLRS frame must

satisfy requirements.
Additional requirements for columns splices are

specified for:
-Special Moment Frames
- Intermediate Moment Frames
-Special Concentrically Braced Frames
-Buckling Restrained Braced Frames
4 Column Splices
Based on amplified
seismic loads or
Pu - splice capacity design
analysis
The required strength of

column splices shall equal the Mu - splice Based on code
required strength of columns, Vu - splice level forces
including that determined from
Section 8.3
Column Splices
Welded column splices subjected to net

tension when subjected to amplified
seismic loads, shall satisfy both of the
following requirements:
1. If partial joint penetration (PJP) groove welded

joints are used, the design strength of the PJP
welds shall be at least 200-percent of the
required strength.
And....
2. The design strength of each flange splice shall be
at least 0.5 Ry Fy Af for the smaller flange
Column Splices
PJP Groove Weld

Stress concentration:
Fracture initiation
point.
Design PJP groove

weld for 200 % of
required strength
( PJP Groove welds not permitted in column splices for

Special and Intermediate Moment Frames)
4 Column Splices
Where PJP grove welds are used, beveled

transitions are not required.
Where Complete Joint Penetration (CJP) groove welds

are used, beveled transitions are required per AWS D1.1
Column Splices
Column web splices shall be

bolted or welded, or welded to
one column and bolted to the
other.
Column Splices
Splices made with fillet welds or

PJP welds shall be located at least
4-ft. from beam-to-column
connections
4 ft. min
(1.2 meter)
4 Column Splices
Splices made with fillet welds or

PJP welds shall be located at least
4-ft. from beam-to-column
connections
4 ft. min
Moment Resisting Frames
 Definition and Basic Behavior of Moment Resisting Frames

 Beam-to-Column Connections: Before and After Northridge
 Panel-Zone Behavior
Moment Resisting Frame
Achieving Ductile Behavior:
Understand and Control Inelastic Behavior:
• Choose frame elements ("fuses") that will

yield in an earthquake, i.e, choose plastic
hinge locations.
• Detail plastic hinge regions to sustain
large inelastic rotations prior to the onset
of fracture or instability.
• Design all other frame elements to be
stronger than the plastic hinge regions.
Behavior of an MRF Under Lateral Load:
Internal Forces and Possible Plastic Hinge Locations
M V
Possible Plastic Hinge Locations
Panel Zone
(Shear Yielding)
Column
(Flexural & Axial
Yielding)
Beam
(Flexural Yielding)
Plastic Hinges
In Beams
Plastic Hinges
In Column Panel Zones
Plastic Hinges
In Columns:
Potential for Soft

Story Collapse
Critical Detailing Area for Moment Resisting Frames:
Beam-to-Column Connections
Design Requirement:
Frame must develop large ductility
without failure of beam-to-column
connection.
Moment Connection Design Practice Prior to
1994 Northridge Earthquake:
Welded flange-bolted
web moment connection
widely used from early
1970’s to 1994
Pre-Northridge
Welded Flange – Bolted Web Moment Connection
Weld Access Hole
Beam Flange
Backup Bar
Stiffener
Column Flange
Experimental Data on “Pre-Northridge”
Moment Connection
Typical Experimental
Setup:
5000
Brittle Fracture at Bottom
4000 Flange Weld
3000 Mp
2000
Bending Moment (kN-m)
1000
-1000
-2000
Mp
-3000
-4000 Pre-Northridge Connection
-5000
-0.04 -0.03 -0.02 -0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04
Drift Angle (rad)

Summary of Testing Prior to
Northridge Earthquake
 Welded flange – bolted web connection showed highly

variable performance
 Many connections failed in laboratory with little or no

ductility
1994 Northridge Earthquake
 January 17, 1994
 Magnitude = 6.8
 Epicenter at Northridge - San Fernando Valley
(Los Angeles area)
 Fatalities: 58
 Estimated Damage Cost: $20 Billion
1994 Northridge Earthquake
Widespread failure of
welded flange - bolted
web moment connections
Damage to Steel Buildings in the Northridge
Earthquake
 Large number of modern steel buildings sustained severe
damage at beam-to-column connections.
 Primary Damage: Fracture in and around beam flange groove
welds
 Damage was largely unexpected by engineering profession
Damage Observations:
Steel Moment
Connections
Pre-Northridge
Welded Flange – Bolted Web Moment Connection
Weld Access Hole
Beam Flange
Backup Bar
Stiffener
Column Flange
Damage Observations
 A large number of steel moment frame buildings suffered

connection damage
 No steel moment frame buildings collapsed
 Typical Damage:
 fracture of groove weld
 “divot” fracture within column flange
 fracture across column flange and web
Observations from Studies of Fractured Connections
 Many connections failed by brittle fracture with little or no

ductility
 Brittle fractures typically initiated in beam flange groove
welds
Response to Northridge Moment Connection Damage
 Nearly immediate elimination of welded flange - bolted web

connection from US building codes and design practice
 Intensive research and testing efforts to understand causes of

damage and to develop improved connections
 AISC, NIST, NSF, etc.
 SAC Program (FEMA)
Causes of Moment Connection Damage in
Northridge
 Welding
 Connection Design
 Materials
Causes of Northridge Moment Connection Damage:
Welding Factors
• Low Fracture Toughness of Weld Metal

• Poor Quality
• Effect of Backing Bars and Weld Tabs
Weld Metal Toughness
 Most common Pre-Northridge welding electrode (E70T-4)

had very low fracture toughness.
Typical Charpy V-Notch: < 5 ft.-lbs at 700F

(7 J at 210C)
Welding Quality
 Many failed connections showed evidence of poor weld

quality
 Many fractures initiated at root defects in bottom flange weld,

in vicinity of weld access hole
Weld Backing Bars and Weld Tabs
 Backing Bars:
 Can create notch effect
 Increases difficulty of inspection
 Weld Tabs:
 Weld runoff regions at weld tabs contain numerous
discontinuities that can potentially initiate fracture
Causes of Northridge Moment Connection Damage:
Design Factors:
Stress/Strain Too High at Beam Flange Groove Weld

• Inadequate Participation of Beam Web Connection in
Transferring Moment and Shear
• Effect of Weld Access Hole
• Effect of Column Flange Bending
• Other Factors
Fu
Flange Stress
Fy
Mp
Increase in Flange Stress Due to

Inadequate Moment Transfer Through Web Connection
Vflange
Increase in Flange Stress Due to Shear in Flange

Stress
Concentrations:
• Weld access
hole
• Shear in flange
• Inadequate
flexural
participation of
web connection
Causes of Moment Connection Damage in Northridge:
Material Factors (Structural Steel)
• Actual yield stress of A36 beams often

significantly higher than minimum
specified
Strategies for Improved Performance of
Moment Connections
 Welding
 Materials
 Connection Design and Detailing

Strategies for Improved Performance of Moment
Connections:
WELDING
• Required minimum toughness for weld metal:

– Required CVN for all welds in SLRS:
20 ft.-lbs at 00 F
– Required CVN for Demand Critical welds:
20 ft.-lbs at -200 F and 40 ft.-lbs at 700 F
Connections:
WELDING
• Improved practices for backing bars and weld tabs
Typical improved practice:

– Remove bottom flange backing bar
– Seal weld top flange backing bar
– Remove weld tabs at top and bottom flange welds
• Greater emphasis on quality and quality control (AISC

Seismic Provisions - Appendix Q and W)
Connections:
Materials (Structural Steel)
• Introduction of “expected yield stress” into design

codes
Expected Yield Stress = Ry Fy
Fy = minimum specified yield strength
Ry = 1.5 for ASTM A36

= 1.1 for A572 Gr. 50 and A992
(See AISC Seismic Provisions - Section 6 for other values of Ry)
Connections:
Materials (Structural Steel)
• Introduction of ASTM A992 steel for wide flange

shapes
ASTM A992
Minimum Fy = 50 ksi
Maximum Fy = 65 ksi
Minimum Fu = 65 ksi
Maximum Fy / Fu = 0.85
Connections:
Connection Design
• Improved Weld Access Hole Geometry

Improved Weld Access
Hole
See Figure 11-1 in the

2005 AISC Seismic
Provisions for dimensions
and finish requirements
Column Panel Zone
Column Panel Zone:

- subject to high shear
- shear yielding and large
shear deformations possible
(forms “shear hinge”)
- provides alternate yielding
mechanism in a steel moment
frame
Joint deformation
due to panel zone
shear yielding
Plastic Shear Hinges
In Column Panel Zones
"kink" at corners of
panel zone
Observations on Panel Zone Behavior
 Very high ductility is possible.

 Localized deformations (“kinking”) at corners of panel zone
may increase likelihood of fracture in vicinity of beam flange
groove welds.
 Building code provisions have varied greatly on panel zone
design.
 Current AISC Seismic Provisions permits limited yielding in
panel zone.
 Further research needed to better define acceptable level of
panel zone yielding
Thank You

Seismic Resistance Steel Building Structures

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Seismic Resistance Steel Building Structures

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Design of Seismic-Resistant Steel

Building Structures in the USA : An

THE 5th JORDANIAN INTERNATIONAL

Faris A Malhas, PE, PhD, Fellow ACI

 Earthquake Effects on Structures

Fire Collapse of Other Causes Collapse of

Earthquake Fatalities: 1900 - 1949 Earthquake Fatalities: 1950 - 1990

Causes of Earthquake Fatalities: 1900 to 1990

Objective: Prevent collapse in the extreme

Objectives are not to:

Design for Ductile Behavior

Ductility = Inelastic Deformation

Nonductile Failure Modes: Fracture or Instability

• Choose frame elements ("fuses") that will yield in an

Required Lateral Strength

Detailing for Ductility

V = total design lateral

SMF (Special Moment Resisting Frames): R=8

Undetailed Steel Systems in

 Moment Resisting Frames

Beams and columns with moment resisting connections; resist lateral

Develop ductility primarily by flexural yielding of

Develop ductility through inelastic action in braces.

Single Diagonal Inverted V- Bracing V- Bracing

X- Bracing Two Story X- Bracing

Tension Brace: Yields Compression Brace: Buckles

Columns and beams: remain essentially elastic

Compression Brace (previously Tension Brace (previously in

Columns and beams: remain essentially elastic

• Develop ductility through inelastic action in the links.

• Develop ductility through inelastic action (cyclic tension and

• System combines high stiffness with high ductility.

Casing Steel Core

Steel core resists entire axial force P

Core projection and

Single Diagonal Inverted V- Bracing V- Bracing

X- Bracing Two Story X- Bracing

Columns and beams: remain essentially elastic

Columns and beams: remain essentially elastic

• Develop ductility through tension yielding of wall plate along

• System combines high stiffness with high ductility.

 Earthquake Effects on Structures

The AISC Seismic Design Manual also includes

Seismic Load Resisting System (SLRS)

Assembly of structural elements in the building

Occupancy Category Description Importance Factor I

Buildings not in Occupancy Categories

Buildings that represent a low hazard to

Seismic Design Category (SDC)

Determine Occupancy Category

Determine Site Class

Determine SMS and SM1

Determine SDS and SD1

 Interactive program available from USGS website.

Evaluate Seismic Design Category According to Tables 11.6-1 and 11.6-2;

The Seismic Provisions apply to the seismic

The Seismic Provisions are used in conjunction

Use of Seismic Provisions is mandatory for

Use of Seismic Provisions are mandatory for

For Seismic Design Categories A, B or C: can

General Seismic Design Requirements

Go to the Applicable Building Code for:

Go to the Applicable Building Code for Loads