Abstract
This research studied the seismic performance of equipment support structures with knee-braced moment-resisting frames in petrochemical facility construction. Frame performances were evaluated using the structural stiffness, strength, and ductility. It was found that frame stiffness increases when the magnitude (eb) and slope of knee braces (ec/eb) increases. For practical purposes, it is suggested that the e c/eb ratio be kept at 1 and eb less than 0.25 times the beam length. It was also observed that the maximum member forces in traditional special moment-resisting frames are shifted from the critical beam-column joints to the beam-knee brace intersections, which greatly reduces the risk of brittle fracture at those regions and significantly enhances the structural ductility.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-117 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2003 |
Keywords
- Ductility
- Facilities
- Petrochemicals
- Seismic design