Cyclic behavior of moment frames with conventional or slit Infills

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study to investigate the effects of conventional and slit shear infills on behavior, of steel frames when subjected to cyclic loading. Three structural specimens of steel moment frames with and without infill webs have been tested. The slits in slit shear wall specimen have had a new parabolic shape. Initiation of damage and fracture in these systems have also been studied. Ductile damage parameters of ISO S235 steel, used in the specimens, have been determined using tensile tests. Numerical models of tested specimens have confirmed the application of these damage parameters to simulate experimental results. Based on the results of experimental study, seismic characteristics of a conventional steel moment frame are compared with those with steel plate shear wall and steel slit shear wall using finite element modeling of ductile damage. The results confirm desirable performance of steel plates shear walls, but show that steel slit shear walls, with parabolic shape slits, behave in a more ductile manner in comparison with steel plate shear walls and offer more desirable characteristics in comparison with steel moment frame.