Abstract
In the field of construction in seismic areas, the current Italian technical code for constructions NTC2008 is substantially based on the design criteria of Eurocode 8 (EC8), although with some differences. Focusing on steel structures with X Concentric Braces (CB), which is one of the most common seismic resistant structural typology in steel buildings, the paper illustrates a critical review of design methodologies specified in NTC2008, with the intent of providing simplified and more efficient design criteria and procedures able to ensure adequate safety levels under seismic actions, according to the modern design approach. The study is divided in two parts. The first part consists in the design according to the standard rules of typical steel X braced structures by linear analysis, both static and dynamic. The aim is identifying any possible weakness in the current design criteria, with particular reference to both the applicability of the proposed procedures and the actual possibility to size the bracing cross-sections and the connected structural members, like beams and columns. The second part consists in the assessment of the seismic response of structures examined. To this purpose, non-linear static analyses are performed in order to evaluate the most relevant behavioural issues, like the behaviour factor, the failure modes and the effectiveness of the capacity design criteria. Based on the results obtained, a proposal for the enhancement of design criteria is presented.
Highlights
In the field of construction in seismic areas, the current Italian technical code for constructions NTC2008 is substantially based on the design criteria of Eurocode 8 (EC8), with some differences
With particular focus on steel structures, a crucial moment for the development of seismic design codes for steel constructions has been the draft of OPCM 3274 and 3431 [1] since 2003, which introduced an extensive chapter, in line with EC8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance Part 1: General rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings [2], with the addition of some noticeable changes on the design of steel structures with respect to the European standard, integrating the evidences of extensive studies on the seismic behaviour
First results of this research activity were provided in De Lucia et al [6] and Macillo et al [7, 8], with respective reference to X-braced structures and chevron braced structures, the latter being described in Castaldo et al [9]
Summary
In recent years a twofold occurrence has motivated the review for maintenance of technical codes for design and construction in seismic areas: on one hand the huge amount of research results and advances in the state of knowledge in the field of seismic engineering, on the other hand the frequent recurrence all over the world of seismic events of high intensity and serious consequences This is the actual context for Italy, which has been recently theatre of severe earthquakes striking both historical centres and modern buildings, even devoted to productive activities. The research is ongoing in the framework of the new edition for the year 2014 of the Italian project RELUIS-DPC
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