Assessment of Response Modification Factor of Open Steel Platform Structures Subjected to Seismic Loads

Abstract

Open frame steel platforms (hereinafter “OFS platforms”) are largely utilized in manufacturing and industrial facilities. OFS platforms are built around the refinery attached to the infrastructure to provide access for maintenance work. Nonlinear static pushover analysis and nonlinear dynamic time history analysis are conducted to study the inelastic behaviour of these frames. The analysis accounts for their unique detailing especially to elements that contribute to energy dissipation during major seismic events. Maximum inter-story drift and peak global roof drift were adopted as critical response parameters. The results show that the reserve strength of structure is less than that prescribed by the ASCE7-08 for ordinary concentric braced frame systems.