Experimental Evaluation of Stability Response in Steel Framed Structures under Seismic Loading

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A large portion of buildings in North America are built with steel braced frames and steel moment-resisting frames to resist lateral loads due to winds and earthquakes. Steel braced frames consist in vertical trusses that provide large lateral stiffness to structures. Moment-resisting frames are built from beams and columns that are rigidly connected together. In the last decades, research and experience from past earthquakes have led to significant changes in codes and standards for the seismic design of these framing systems. However, recent research has revealed undesirable stability failures of columns in these frame structures that are not properly addressed in current steel design standards and require further investigation. To ensure predictable and safe response of steel frames under future seismic events, design strategies are needed that properly account for possible column stability failures while maintaining construction costs to minimum. This research project aims to develop effective seismic stability requirements for columns of steel braced frames and moment-resisting frames. This will be achieved through comprehensive full-scale column testing and extensive advanced numerical simulations. The project will lead to design recommendations for the next Canadian steel design standards and improved design tools to be used by structural engineers in their day-to-day practice.