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Buildings
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Research on the Seismic Design of Steel Frames
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Research on the Seismic Design of Steel Frames

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Structures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2025 | Viewed by 5165

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Linfeng Lu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi'an, China
Interests: seismic design; steel frame; connection; cold-formed steel; corrosion; composited structures
Prof. Dr. Shaofeng Nie

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi'an, China
Interests: seismic design; steel frame; connection; cold-formed steel; composited structures

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Earthquakes have always been among the most dangerous natural calamities associated with human life and property protection. Some researchers will also pursue safe seismic design as a lifelong endeavor.

The 1994 Northridge earthquake in California profoundly affected the seismic design of steel frames, particularly the seismic design of beam-to-column connections.

In commemoration of the nearly 40th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake in the United States, we are launching this Special Issue to present the most recent research findings on the seismic design of steel frames.

All research and reviews on the seismic design of steel frames, including (but not limited to) experimental and numerical investigations, specification discussions, structural systems, connections and joints, and building retrofits, are welcome.

More examples of Special Issues of Buildings at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/buildings/special_issues.

Prof. Dr. Linfeng Lu
Prof. Dr. Shaofeng Nie
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • steel frame
  • seismic design
  • connection
  • braced steel frame
  • steel plate shear wall
  • retrofit
  • joints

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 10877 KiB  
Article
Effects of Out-of-Plane Deformation of the Base Plate on the Structural Behavior of an Exposed Column Base
by Ding Nan, Hiroyuki Nakahara and Iathong Chan
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3881; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123881 - 3 Dec 2024
Viewed by 309
Abstract
This study explores the behavior of exposed column bases in concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) and steel structures, with a focus on cases where base plates yield due to out-of-plane deformation. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for improving the design and safety of these [...] Read more.
This study explores the behavior of exposed column bases in concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) and steel structures, with a focus on cases where base plates yield due to out-of-plane deformation. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for improving the design and safety of these structures. Experimental tests and numerical analyses were conducted on four specimens to investigate their lateral load versus drift angle behavior. The tests demonstrated that base plates exhibited sufficient deformation capacities and enhanced hysteresis characteristics. Finite element method (FEM) analysis successfully traced the load–deformation relationships observed in the tests, providing detailed insights into stress distribution on the base plates. Based on these analyses, a simplified calculation method was proposed to evaluate the horizontal strength of exposed column bases. The proposed method showed excellent agreement with the test results, highlighting its potential as a practical tool for structural design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Seismic Design of Steel Frames)
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13 pages, 2719 KiB  
Article
Test and Analysis for Shearing Behavior of Circular CFST Columns
by Hiroyuki Nakahara, Kazuhiro Uchida and Yuto Yanai
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3871; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123871 - 2 Dec 2024
Viewed by 259
Abstract
Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures are well known to possess high strength and ductility. CFST members are used under complex stress states, such as beam–columns, piers, caissons, or other foundation components. Recommendations for the design and construction of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures [...] Read more.
Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures are well known to possess high strength and ductility. CFST members are used under complex stress states, such as beam–columns, piers, caissons, or other foundation components. Recommendations for the design and construction of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures were published in 1997 and revised in 2008 in Japan. In the recommendations, calculation methods for the axial strength and flexural strength of CFST columns were established on the basis of experimental results of more than 400 specimens; however, the test results of the columns that failed in shear referred to only 12 specimens in the recommendations. It is necessary to accumulate experimental data on the shear strengths and behaviors of CFST columns. Tests and analyses have been carried out on eight circular CFST column specimens with a shear span ratio of 0.75. The diameter-to-thickness ratio of the steel tube is approximately 34. The shearing capacities of the tests were underestimated by over 20% errors using the calculation method of the CFST Recommendations in Japan. The load versus deformation relations obtained by the tests were well traced by 3D-FEM analysis. The shearing capacities were estimated as an average of 12% errors using 3D-FEM analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Seismic Design of Steel Frames)
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17 pages, 11915 KiB  
Article
Simple Aseismic Reinforcement of Steel Structures Using Knee Braces with High-Hardness Vises
by Hiroyuki Nakahara, Ding Nan and Iathong Chan
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 3029; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14093029 - 23 Sep 2024
Viewed by 814
Abstract
A novel technique for upgrading the seismic resistance of steel buildings by adding knee braces to existing structures using vises was proposed by researchers in 2022. A feature of this retrofitting method is the easy setup owing to its use of vises made [...] Read more.
A novel technique for upgrading the seismic resistance of steel buildings by adding knee braces to existing structures using vises was proposed by researchers in 2022. A feature of this retrofitting method is the easy setup owing to its use of vises made from high-hardness metal. Tests were conducted to investigate two main failure modes: slipping failure at the connection and yielding and buckling failure of the knee brace. The retrofitting design is discussed based on a comparison between the slipping strengths obtained through tests and calculations. Furthermore, an analytical study, using the finite element method (FEM), was conducted to evaluate the test results of retrofitted frames that failed in terms of the yielding and buckling of the knee braces. The findings of the analyses are consistent with the test results. This study included a stress relaxation test to assess the long-term performance of the vises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Seismic Design of Steel Frames)
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19 pages, 10708 KiB  
Article
Finite Element Investigation of a Novel Cold-Formed Steel Shear Wall
by Zhiqiang Xie, Ye Bi, Ying Fan, Chengwei Gao, Xiangdong Zhang, Yin Feng, Daxing Zhou and Lei Dong
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1691; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061691 - 6 Jun 2024
Viewed by 916
Abstract
In this paper, a novel corrugated steel sheet central sheathed cold-formed steel (CCS-CFS) shear wall is proposed. This shear wall can address the problems of low shear strength and ductility in conventional cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls caused by screw connection failure and [...] Read more.
In this paper, a novel corrugated steel sheet central sheathed cold-formed steel (CCS-CFS) shear wall is proposed. This shear wall can address the problems of low shear strength and ductility in conventional cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls caused by screw connection failure and eccentric sheet arrangement. A numerical simulation method for the novel shear wall was developed and verified through cyclic loading test results of two full-size shear wall specimens. Parameter analysis was then conducted to investigate the effects of screw spacing, sheet thickness ratio, and aspect ratio on the seismic performance of these shear walls, accompanied by design recommendations. The results indicated that this innovative shear wall configuration can effectively resolve the connection failure between the frame and the sheet. Furthermore, the CCS-CFS shear wall can effectively improve shear strength, energy dissipation capacity, and ductility. The developed numerical simulation method can accurately capture the hysteretic properties and failure modes of shear walls. In addition, it can address the shortcomings in conventional models that neglect the mixed hardening characteristic of steel and metal damage criteria, resulting in inaccurate simulation results and unrealistic buckling modes. The principal failure modes observed in the novel shear wall were identified as the plastic buckling of corrugated steel sheathing and the distortional buckling of the end stud. Reducing the screw spacing has a limited impact on its shear strength. It is recommended that the sheet thickness ratio of the CCS-CFS shear wall should be greater than 2.0, while the aspect ratio can be relaxed to 10:4. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Seismic Design of Steel Frames)
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18 pages, 9729 KiB  
Article
An Investigation on the Seismic Behavior of the End-Plate Connection between a Steel Beam and the Weak-Axis of an H-Shaped Column Using a U-Shaped Connector
by Shaofeng Nie, Siyuan Chen, Weijie Wu, Xin Jiang, Shuo Wang, Yongzhen Lin and Mengxue Liu
Buildings 2024, 14(4), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14041087 - 13 Apr 2024
Viewed by 835
Abstract
The seismic behavior of the end-plate connections between a steel beam and the weak axis of the H-shaped steel column using a U-shaped connector was investigated using numerical analysis. Finite element (FE) models were established using ABAQUS 6.14 software, and the applicability of [...] Read more.
The seismic behavior of the end-plate connections between a steel beam and the weak axis of the H-shaped steel column using a U-shaped connector was investigated using numerical analysis. Finite element (FE) models were established using ABAQUS 6.14 software, and the applicability of the modeling approach was verified by comparing the numerical results with the relevant experimental results. This parametric study of the joint was carried out to analyze the effects of the thickness of the U-shaped connectors, the thickness of the end-plates, the axial compression ratio of the columns, and the linear stiffness ratio of the beam to the column. The results show that the U-shaped connector set in the weak axis of the H-shaped column can form a box-shaped panel zone with the column flange and web. The volume of the panel zone and its resistance to shear deformation are increased through this connection. Finally, the recommended reasonable ranges for the thickness of the U-shaped connector, the thickness of the end-plates, the axial compression ratio of the columns, and the linear stiffness ratio of the beam to the column are proposed in this paper. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Seismic Design of Steel Frames)
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15 pages, 5177 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Box-Strengthened Panel Zone on Steel Frame Seismic Performance
by Linfeng Lu, Jichen Zhang, Gaowei Zhang, Hao Peng, Bingyou Liu and Hanlin Hao
Buildings 2023, 13(12), 3042; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13123042 - 7 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 922
Abstract
During the Northridge earthquake, extensive brittle failures on the weld zones of the beam bottom flanges in the rigidity connection of steel special moment frames (SMFs) were detected. One of the primary reasons is the high-tensile strain demand created at the beam bottom [...] Read more.
During the Northridge earthquake, extensive brittle failures on the weld zones of the beam bottom flanges in the rigidity connection of steel special moment frames (SMFs) were detected. One of the primary reasons is the high-tensile strain demand created at the beam bottom flange zones due to positive bending. The weak panel zone of the I-section column exhibits more shear deformation, which promotes and accelerates the brittle fracture of the beam bottom flange weld zones. A box-strengthened panel zone can minimize the shear deformation of the panel zone of the I-section column, which may also reduce the inter-story displacement of steel SMFs and enhance their seismic behavior. In order to investigate this fact, in this research we carried out a model test of a steel frame with a box-strengthened panel zone to examine SMFs’ seismic performance and inter-story displacement, as well as testing the contribution of panel zone shear deformation to inter-story drift. Numerical methods were then used to investigate the influence of the axial compression ratio and beam-to-column linear stiffness ratio on the effect of shear deformation on the box-strengthened panel zone. Design recommendations are given based on the research results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on the Seismic Design of Steel Frames)
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