Research on the Seismic Performance of Zipper Frames

Abstract

In order to investigate the seismic performance of zipper frames, three 10-storey structure models, including a zipper frame with tension zipper columns, a zipper frame with weak zipper columns and a chevron braced frame, were designed. Some indexes, including the natural periods, steel consumption and dynamic response under frequent and rare earthquakes, were analyzed and compared. The results show that, the dynamic responses of the three structures are similar to each other and all of them can meet the requirement of no-damage under frequent earthquakes and no-collapse under rare earthquakes provided by the GB50011 code, but the steel consumption for the zipper frames is less than that of the chevron braced frames, indicating the comprehensive seismic performance of the zipper frame is better than the chevron braced frame. However, it is also found that the design method of the zipper columns is conservative and a more reasonable design method of the zipper columns is needed to be provided.