Connection Characteristics In Seismic Proof Steel Construction

Abstract

The evaluation of steel structures damaged by earthquakes in the last decade (e.g., in Northridge, CA, U.S.A. (1994) and in Kobe, Japan (1995)) has contributed considerably to the improvement of the design of structures and especially details relating to their ductility and to the dissipation of energy. An analysis of research results led to significant corrections of codes, guidelines and instructions. It was necessary to re-evaluate and extend the content of corresponding codes currently based on Allowable Stress Design (ASD), plus the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) method. This paper is a brief comment on the substance of the reliability assessment of selected structural details with respect to the dissipation of energy corresponding to the repeated elastoplastic deformation caused by earthquakes. The application of the probabilistic methods is also indicated. In research increasing attention is paid to the structural steel components exposed in case of earthquake to elastoplastic reversals. Such components serve as energy devices and their design and reliability assessment requires a special approach. The paper gives substance to the evaluation of the structural response to the earthquake, the actual behaviour of exposed details and the principles of safety assessment.