Carl E. Grigorian

PERFORMANCE CONTROL: A NEW ELASTICPLASTIC DESIGN PROCEDURE FOR EARTHQUAKE RESISTING MOMENT FRAMES

AbstractPerformance control (PC) is the ability to design a structure in such a way as to expect predetermined modes of response at certain stages of loading, extents of damage, and/or drift ratios. The primary purpose of this paper is to complement the existing literature on performance-based plastic design of moment frames. PC is, in fact, a new analytic performance-based elastic-plastic design method for ductile structures under seismic loading. It empowers the engineer to control the design rather than investigate design-related numerical output. Failure mechanisms and stability conditions are enforced rather than tested. Unlike traditional closed-form procedures, PC enables the designer to control the response of the structure at preselected performance stages such as before and at first yield, any fraction of the failure load, or specified drift ratios up to and including incipient collapse. It offers a simple design solution to a rather complex problem.

Performance Control and Efficient Design of Rocking-Wall Moment Frames

AbstractRocking-wall moment frames (RWMFs) are unique, lateral resisting structures in which the shear wall pivots about its pinned base rather than act as a fixed base, upright cantilever. The function of the wall is to prevent soft-story failure, reduce drift concentration, and provide suitable supports for energy-dissipating devices. However, despite their favorable seismic performance, their practical design aspects have not been fully addressed in the literature. This paper proposes a new approach based on the principles of design-led analysis. It provides a lucid study of the analytic components and inner workings of RWMFs as efficient lateral resisting systems. While complementing existing literature on the subject, this study presents several interesting findings and useful design conclusions. For instance, it points out that under certain circumstances, neither the rocking wall nor its appendages can influence the ultimate carrying capacity of the frame. The proposed solutions are entirely suitab...

Sustainable Earthquake-Resisting System

AbstractA new design philosophy that leads to efficient earthquake-resisting systems is presented. Commercially available technologies are used to propose an archetype that is capable of damage con...