The concept of hybrid steel frame system is presented in which mixtures of fully-rigid and semi-rigid steel connections are used in the 3-, 9- and 20-story SAC frames. Several different patterns and locations of semi-rigid connection replacements within the frame are examined in…
Tornadoes are an extremely devastating natural hazard with significant consequences but are not considered in current structural design codes. This is due to their low probability of occurrence making them what has been termed a low-occurrence high-consequence event. This thesis…
Controlled rocking steel braced frames (CRSBFs) have been developed with the goal of minimizing the post-earthquake impact of primary building functions. While there has been significant research to date to demonstrate the viability of the CRSBF as a high-performance system, muc…
Earthquake demand parameters, EDP, such as displacement, velocity and acceleration are meaningful to engineers. In general, most decision-makers are non-engineers and do not understand these parameters. This study uses a procedure stipulated in FEMA P-58 to convert the earthquak…
In the structural engineering industry, the design of structures typically follows a prescriptive approach in which engineers conform to a series of code requirements that stipulate the design process. Prescriptive design is tested, reliable, and understood by practically every …