Mechanical behavior of buildings subjected to impulsive motions

This article analyses the response of steel-moment resisting frames subjected to near-field ground motions. In near-field areas high damage and a relevant number of collapsed steel buildings arose even when both design and detailing had been performed in perfect accordance with the code provisions. These circumstances are related to the characteristics of the motion that in such areas shows large-amplitude pulses along the fault-normal component. The response of two steel moment resisting frames characterized by different stiffness levels and subjected to seven different accelerograms recorded in stations located in near-field areas is discussed in the following. The frames have been also analyzed by modelling the real behavior of semi-rigid joints between beams and columns and taking into account the presence of passive dampers (shear link devices). The nonlinear dynamic analysis has been performed with the aim of acquiring a quantitative knowledge on the effects of near-field ground motions on frame buildings and on their damage.