Seismic Behaviour and Pushover Analysis of Steel Frames

The research concentrates on a computer based push-over analysis technique for performance-based design of steel building frame works subjected to earthquake loading. Through the use of a plasticity-factor that measures the degree of plasticisation, the standard elastic and geometric stiffness matrices for frame elements (beams, columns, etc.) are progressively modified to account for nonlinear elastic–plastic behaviour under constant gravity loads and incrementally increasing lateral loads. The proposed analysis technique is illustrated for two steel frameworks of solid and hollow member properties. This investigation studies aim to analyse the comparison between hollow and solid frames. The technique is based on the conventional displacement method of elastic analysis. The analytical procedure developed is to estimate the inelastic deformations of beams, columns and connections are validated by incorporating the same in pushover analysis. Based on the analysis results it is observed that inelastic displacement of the structure is within the collapse prevention level.