Seismic performance assessment of steel moment-resisting frames with self-centering viscous-hysteretic devices

Abstract

This study evaluates the seismic performance of the steel frame with self-centering viscous-hysteretic devices (SC-VHD frame) and investigates the effect of design parameters of the SC-VHD, preload, loading stiffness, unloading stiffness and viscous damping ratio, on seismic performance through conducting nonlinear static pushover analysis, fragility analysis and risk assessment on 4-, 8-, and 12- story SC-VHD frames with different design parameters. Results indicate that the maximum normalized base shear and the ultimate roof drift ratios of the SC-VHD frames increase by more than 13.3% and 42.9%, respectively, compared with the conventional frames. The SC-VHD frames have acceptable low probabilities of collapse and probabilities exceeding considered residual drift under the maximum considered earthquake (MCE) and during a 50-year period. Accordingly, the most sensitive parameter regarding the probabilities of collapse is loading stiffness, followed sequentially by unloading stiffness, viscous damping ratio and preload. While for the probability exceeding considered residual drift under the MCE, the parameters of ring springs, preload, loading stiffness and unloading stiffness, have a significant effect on the 4- and 8-story SC-VHD frames, and the viscous damping ratio of the viscous damper has the most significant effect on the 12-story SC-VHD frame. For the probability exceeding considered residual drift during a 50-year period, the most sensitive parameter is the viscous damping ratio.