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The potential of post-tensioned self-centering moment-resisting frames (SC-MRFs) and viscous dampers to reduce the economic seismic losses in steel buildings is evaluated. The evaluation is based on a prototype steel building designed using four different seismic-resistant frames: (i) conventional moment resisting frames (MRFs); (ii) MRFs with viscous dampers; (iii) SC-MRFs; or (iv) SC-MRFs with viscous dampers. All frames are designed according to Eurocode 8 and have the same column/beam cross sections and similar periods of vibration. Viscous dampers are designed to reduce the peak story drift under the design basis earthquake (DBE) from 1.8% to 1.2%. Losses are estimated by developing vulnerability functions according to the FEMA P-58 methodology, which considers uncertainties in earthquake ground motion, structural response, and repair costs. Both the probability of collapse and the probability of demolition because of excessive residual story drifts are taken into account. Incremental dynamic analyses are conducted using models capable to simulate all limit states up to collapse. A parametric study on the effect of the residual story drift threshold beyond which is less expensive to rebuild a structure than to repair is also conducted. It is shown that viscous dampers are more effective than post-tensioning for seismic intensities equal or lower than the maximum considered earthquake (MCE). Post-tensioning is effective in reducing repair costs only for seismic intensities higher than the DBE. The paper also highlights the effectiveness of combining post-tensioning and supplemental viscous damping by showing that the SC-MRF with viscous dampers achieves significant repair cost reductions compared to the conventional MRF

A new self-centering steel post-tensioned connection using web hourglass shape pins (WHPs) has been recently developed and experimentally validated. The connection isolates inelastic deformations in WHPs, avoids damage in other connection parts as well as in beams and columns, and eliminates residual drifts. WHPs do not interfere with the composite slab and can be very easily replaced without bolting or welding, and so, the connection enables non-disruptive repair and rapid return to building occupancy in the aftermath of a strong earthquake. This paper presents a simplified nonlinear model for the connection and the associated beams and columns that consists of nonlinear beam-column elements, and hysteretic and contact zero-length spring elements appropriately placed in the beam-column interface. The model was calibrated against experimental results and found to accurately simulate the connection behaviour. A prototype building was selected and designed as a conventional steel moment-resisting frame (MRF) according to Eurocode 8 or as a self-centering steel MRF (SC-MRF) using the connection with WHPs. Seismic analyses results show that the conventional MRF and the SC-MRF have comparable peak storey drifts, and highlight the inherent potential of the SC-MRF to eliminate damage in beams and residual drifts. The paper also shows that repair of damage in the conventional MRF will be costly and disruptive after the design basis earthquake, and, not financially viable after the maximum considered earthquake due to large residual drifts

Approximate formulae for the estimation of lateral displacements at first yielding of plane steel frames under seismic excitations are provided for use in a performance based seismic design and more particularly, in a direct displacement based seismic design of these structures. These formulae, which are functions of the geometrical and design properties of the frames, are derived on the basis of seismic response data obtained with the aid of extensive dynamic inelastic analyses involving 36 moment resisting and 36 x-braced plane steel frames with steel grade S235, S275 and S355 under 84 ordinary seismic ground motions. Comparison of the proposed formulae against other simpler existing formulae, reveals the higher accuracy of the proposed ones.