OPTIMIZATION OF DISSIPATIVE REPLACEABLE LINK FRAMES BY ELASTIC HIGH STRENGTH STEEL COUPLING BEAMS

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

Abstract

The Dissipative Replaceable Link Frame (DRLF) is an innovative lateral load resisting system, recently developed, investigated, and further optimized in the European research projects FUSEIS, MATCH, INNOSEIS and DISSIPABLE. The system consists of two strong columns, which are rigidly interconnected by several horizontal beams, forming a vertical VIERENDEEL beam. The interconnecting beams are attached by a bolted head plate connection, making them easily detachable. As they are separated from the slab, they do not take part in the gravity load bearing function. The dissipative beam links being the only intended spots of inelastic action and therefore energy dissipation, plus being easily exchangeable because of their bolted connection and missing participation in the gravity load bearing paths, act as exchangeable seismic fuses during a strong earthquake. After such an event, exchanging the beam links is foreseen to bring the structure back to its undamaged pre-earthquake stage quickly. However, Eurocode 8 demands on damage limitation affecting non-structural components – like e.g. partition walls – might represent a tough requirement on global lateral stiffness of the Link Frame systems. For high buildings, displacement verifications often govern the design, similar as known for conventional Moment Resisting Frames (MRF). In order to overcome this restriction, in this paper, a solution to increase lateral stiffness of Dissipative Replaceable Link Frames is investigated: Keeping the connections of the regular gravity frame hinged, strong elastic steel coupling beams are introduced, connecting two adjacent Link Frames. These coupling beams are not intended to dissipate energy, but instead should remain elastic, in order to keep the whole building easily repairable, by restricting seismic damage to the Dissipative Replaceable Links. Moreover, such additional source of lateral stiffness is able to improve re-centering capability to diminish accumulation of residual displacements during an earthquake and further to re-center the building when the seismic fuses are replaced. In this paper, preliminary conclusions on the concept and performance of this innovative system under development in the ongoing project DISSIPABLE are presented.

Authors 4

1. Pinkawa Marius Aachen Center for Wind and Earthquake Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Center for Wind and Earthquake Engineering

2. Vulcu Cristian Aachen Center for Wind and Earthquake Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Center for Wind and Earthquake Engineering

3. Hoffmeister Benno Aachen Center for Wind and Earthquake Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Center for Wind and Earthquake Engineering

4. Markus Feldmann Aachen Institute of Steel Construction

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Steel Construction