Seismic behaviour of irregular steel frames with beam and joint energy dissipation

This paper investigates the seismic performance of steel moment resisting frames, exploring the potential for energy dissipation not only in the beams but in the beam-to-column joints too. Such an approach practically doubles the possible locations for dissipative zones in the structure but on the other hand places requirements for ductile behaviour on the connections. A design methodology that facilitates the formation of plastic hinges in the beam-to-column joints and the beams at the same time, is presented and examined in comparison to typically designed frames with rigid joints. A number of 24, 2D regular and irregular frame configurations are studied numerically, employing both nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. The examined configurations involve either irregular mass distribution across the floors or stiffness discontinuities of the framing across the floors and the bays. The results indicate a great reduction in ductility demands for the frames with energy dissipation in the beams and the joints concurrently, while other metrics of their seismic response, such as interstorey drifts and lateral capacity remain practically unaffected.