Numerical simulation of the seismic response of a three-storey full-scale steel frame obtained from pseudo dynamic testing

A full scale three-story one-bay steel moment resisting frame has been constructed and tested pseudo-dynamically (PSD) at the C.E.C, European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA)-Reaction Wall Facility at Ispra, Italy. The frame connections and shear panel zones have been designed with Eurocode 8 (EC8). The objectives of this research were, on one hand to study the seismic behavior of a realistic steel frame, conduct numerical seismic time-history frame analyses using available frame computer models and on the other hand to identify potential up-dating needs in the Eurocodes. This paper presents the numerical simulations of the steel frame’s seismic responses. Both the study of the experimental and analytical results have demonstrated that the steel frame structure had flexible beam-to-column joints and connections. Under seismic loading, plastic hinges were formed in those locations and not in the girder-ends as anticipated in EC8. This experimental and analytical campaign showed the necessity to additionally stiffen the frame panel-zones, thus employing Allowable Stress Design (ASD) criteria.