Hazard-Independent Stability Sensitivity Study of Steel and RC Frame Structures

  • P. Dahal
  • T. Powell
  • C. Mullen
Keywords: Stability sensitivity; Hazard-independence; Damage scenarios.

Abstract

Structural stability relates directly to the robustness of the system even against the abnormally large load or an unexpected event which might cause perturbation- changes from the normal state of the structural system- from significant damage. This study aims to examine the sensitivity of frame systems (primarily steel moment resisting frame systems) to the initial damage and second-order geometric effects, that may arise as a result of the design load and abnormally large load coming from the unexpected event. Incremental analysis is used to track the development of second-order effects. Planar Frame models are first examined to establish the patterns of the stiffness losses occurred with various cases of hazard-independent damages. The comparison of the anticipated behavior on Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame systems is investigated through buckling analysis of steel and RC frame systems. Observing the patterns, the study is extended to a 3D model, four-story moment frame structure, located in a coastal area and exposed to a design hurricane event, thereby addressing multi-hazard issues. The impact from the amount and location of the hazard-independent damage as well as the complexity of the frame system is studied for steel frame system which generates the overall idea of individual member perturbations and stability failure of the system, as a whole.

Published
2019-05-15
Section
Articles