Mechanism of Collapse of Tall Steel Moment-Frame Buildings under Earthquake Excitation

摘要

We expound on the nature of collapse of one class of tall buildings (steel moment frame buildings) underudearthquake excitation. Using a parametric analysis of a couple of index buildings subjected to idealized groundudmotion histories, we establish the ground motion features that cause collapse in these structures. Systematicallyudmapping damage localization patterns, we track the evolution of the collapse mechanism. We demonstrate theudexistence of a select few preferred mechanisms of collapse in these buildings and describe the associated physicsudusing wave propagation through a shear beam. A simple theory based on work-energy principles can identifyudthese mechanisms.