Date of Award

10-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Civil Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Amr M.I. Sweedan

Second Advisor

Dr. Aman Mwafy

Third Advisor

Prof. Jerome F. Hajjar

Abstract

Concentrically braced steel frames (CBFs) are efficient and commonly used steel systems for resisting seismic loads through a complete truss action. In strong earthquake events, multi-storey concentrically braced steel frames (CBFs) are prone to form a storey-collapse mechanism after buckling and yielding of the braces in a storey. This thesis evaluates the seismic performance of steel concentrically braced frames (CBFs) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The aim of this study is to assess the overall lateral capacity of multi-storey buildings and the associated sequence of formation of plastic hinges using inelastic pushover analysis technique. The time history analysis approach is employed to assess the local and global seismic performance of braced frame structures under various earthquake records representing the potential seismic loading scenarios. In addition, the adequacy of using inelastic pushover analysis as a simplified means to examine the seismic integrity of braced frame structures and to predict the sequence of development of plastic hinges within the system is evaluated. This study shows that under the expected level of Abu Dhabi’s seismicity the designed concentrically braced steel frames (CBFs) perform in an excellent manner by suffering of repairable damages with no life safety threatening. This study puts a step forward in the effort of spreading the knowledge of using the concentrically braced steel frames as lateral force resisting system in Abu Dhabi for mid and high rise buildings.

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