Multi-Hazard Risk Mitigation through Application of Seismic Design Rules

Abstract

Multi-story buildings often use steel moment frames as lateral force resisting systems, because such systems would allow architectural flexibility, while providing the strength, stiffness, and ductility required to resist the gravity, wind, and seismic loads. Steel moment frames on which capacity design concepts are applied to resist earthquake induced forces, are generally considered robust structures, with adequate resistance against collapse for other extreme hazards, for example blast or impact. Starting from this point, the present paper summarizes the results of some recent studies carried out in the Department of Steel Structures and Structural Mechanics and CEMSIG Research Center from Politehnica University Timisoara, aiming to evaluate the influence of beam-to-column joints, designed to satisfy seismic design requirements, on the progressive collapse resistance of multi-story steel frame buildings.