Displacement based seismic design of steel moment resisting frame structures (DiSTEEL) : final report

The DiSTEEL research project has developed a set of practical performance-based design guidelines for steel moment-resisting frame structures by developing both a direct displacement-based design (DBD) procedure and performance criteria applicable to moment-resisting frames (MRFs) with different beam-column joint typologies. The project successfully used existing experimental data and new numerical investigations to develop important information for the characterisation of steel beam-column joints. This includes plastic rotation limits for both full and partial-strength joints, expressions for inelastic spectra (via the equivalent viscous damping concept and/or through spectral displacement reduction factors) and expressions for the yield drift of steel frames. In parallel to the study of beam-column joint characteristics, the project successfully developed tools for the control the seismic performance of steel MRF systems. This included examination and assessment of a range of potentially critical performance criteria, including non-structural drift limits, P-Δ checks and control of residual deformations, as well as cost considerations. Furthermore, various aspects of the DBD procedure were developed and refined through examination of a range of both regular and vertically irregular case study MRF buildings, possessing either full or partial-strength connections. The findings of the research have been incorporated within a number of important technical research reports published by the IUSS Press and EUCENTRE Press, and continue to be disseminated widely through various media. Such documents are testament to the success of this project that has helped develop valuable new tools for the performance-based seismic design of steel frame buildings in Europe, thereby permitting improved control of seismic risk and permitting more efficient steel building solutions.