Rapid evaluation of structural soundness of steel frames using a coupling coefficient (CC)‐based method

• Published in: Earthquake engineering & structural dynamics Vol. 52; no. 4; pp. 1182 - 1204
• Main Authors: Shen, Shao‐Dong, Kurata, Masahiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bognor Regis Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Columns (structural); coupling coefficient; Coupling coefficients; damage evaluation; Distribution; Dynamic analysis; Earthquake damage; Earthquakes; Finite element method; Force distribution; Frame structures; incremental dynamic analysis; Inspection; Internal forces; Methods; Seismic activity; Shake table tests; Steel; steel frame; Steel frames; Steel structures; Structural response; Visual inspection
• ISSN: 0098-8847; 1096-9845
• DOI: 10.1002/eqe.3811

A method is proposed for evaluating the post‐earthquake condition of steel frame structures based on the coupling coefficient (CC). The CC is an index that reflects the internal force distribution of each storey and damage mechanism in frames. It is computed using the drift distribution of the maximum structural response estimated from limited monitoring data and the design drawings of the target structure. Preliminary finite element analyses showed that the CC contains some important information that is not obvious in displacement responses, such as the global and local working modes of the structure. Useful information of this type includes whether the damage to each storey is mainly distributed on the beams or columns. An incremental dynamic analysis with an 18‐storey steel frame tested at the E‐Defense shaking table facility confirmed that the structural condition identified by the CC‐based method corresponds to the damage information reported by visual inspection. The analysis results verify the theory of the CC‐based method and provide limit values for the damage grades of steel frames.