Effect of seismic loading on steel moment resisting frames

Abstract

In recent history, the use of Steel Moment Resisting Frames (SMRF) in many structural steel buildings has become popular among many engineers and designers. The use of these moment resisting frames allows for more open spaces between floors and columns than in buildings that use the more traditional braced frame construction. One of the critical aspects of the moment resisting frames is the connections between the beams and the columns. The Northridge earthquake near Los Angeles California in 1994 showed that the existing designs for SMRF connections were inadequate and unstable. As a result, new connection designs were needed for SMRF construction. This thesis will first discuss the causes for the failures of the SMRF connections that were discovered after the Northridge earthquake. Next, new performance and testing requirements for new connection designs will be examined. Lastly, one possible solution, the SidePlate connection system, will be analyzed.