Description of Educational Aids for:

Teaching Principles of Seismic-Resistant Design of

Steel Building Structures

Prepared by:
Michael D. Engelhardt
Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
University of Texas at Austin

with the assistance of:

Rafael Sabelli
Dasse Design
San Francisco

Prepared with the support of the American Institute of Steel Construction

March 2007

BACKGROUND

This document provides an overview of a series of annotated PowerPoint modules

prepared to assist university faculty with teaching basic principles of the seismic-resistant
design of steel building structures. These presentations were prepared with support from
the AISC Educator Career Enhancement Award. Overall coordination of this effort was
provided by Fromy Rosenberg of the American Institute of Steel Construction.

Over the last ten to fifteen years, the importance of understanding principles of seismic-
resistant design has increased dramatically for the structural engineering community
throughout the US. In the past, seismic design was a topic of interest largely focused on
the west-coast. However, in recent years, building codes have increasingly required
consideration of seismic design in the midwest and eastern US. This trend is accelerating
as the International Building Code (IBC) is being adopted throughout the US. For many
regions of the US that previously required no consideration whatsoever of earthquakes in
building design, the IBC now requires that seismic-resistant design be considered in a
very detailed and comprehensive manner.

As the need for considering earthquakes in building design has spread from the west-
coast to other regions of the US, at the same time, building code requirements for
seismic-resistant design have also increased in scope and complexity. The rapid spread
of seismic design from the west-coast to the remainder of the US, combined with the

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rapid escalation of the complexity of building code regulations for seismic design has
provided significant challenges for many structural engineers and structural engineering
educators. Many structural engineers that have no previous experience or training in
seismic-resistant design are now faced with the need to implement complex and
sophisticated analysis, design and detailing rules. Similar challenges exist for many
structural engineering educators that see the need to include aspects of seismic-design in
their structural engineering courses, but do not have the background or educational tools
to do this properly.

The escalation in the scope and complexity of building code regulations for seismic-
resistant design affects all types of building construction, including steel, reinforced
concrete, timber and masonry construction. However, this escalation has been
particularly notable for steel buildings, due to the intensive research efforts in the steel
area following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Recent years have seen an
unprecedented amount of research on seismic-resistant steel building structures through
the FEMA/SAC program, and through numerous other research efforts funded by AISC,
and other agencies and organizations. While these large research efforts have provided
solutions to the problems seen in steel buildings in the Northridge Earthquake, this
research has also resulted in numerous major changes to seismic design and detailing
rules for steel building structures.

The primary code document controlling detailing of steel structures for seismic resistance
in the US is the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings. Since the 1994
Northridge Earthquake, the AISC Seismic Provisions has been updated numerous times
to rapidly implement new findings from post-Northridge steel research. Further, in the
2005 Edition of the Seismic Provisions, two new seismic load resisting systems have
been introduced: Buckling Restrained Braced Frames and Special Plate Shear Walls. All
in all, the AISC Seismic Provisions have seen enormous changes.

The educational materials prepared under this project are intended to assist university
faculty that are adding new earthquake related courses to their curricula, or are adding or
updating materials used in existing courses on steel design or earthquake engineering. It
is also anticipated these materials may be of interest to some practicing engineering, to
help understand recent changes to the AISC Seismic Provisions.

The primary focus of this educational material is on ductile detailing of steel structures
for seismic resistance, rather than on calculation of lateral forces, dynamic analysis, or
other general topics on earthquake engineering. The material is intended primarily for use
at the graduate level. The presentations are closely tied to the 2005 AISC Seismic
Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings. The presentations discuss basic principles of
the behavior of seismic response of steel structures, and show how these principles are
treated in the AISC Seismic Provisions. The presentations are most effective if students
have a copy of the AISC Seismic Provisions. A free copy can be downloaded from the
AISC website, at: www.aisc.org.

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CONTENTS

This educational package consists of six PowerPoint modules, as follows:

1. Introduction and Basic Principles

2. Moment Resisting Frames
3. Concentrically Braced Frames
4. Eccentrically Braced Frames
5. Buckling Restrained Braced Frames
6. Special Plate Shear Walls

For all six modules combined, there are over 750 PowerPoint slides. Almost all of the
slides are provided with additional notes and explanations that can be viewed under the
“Notes Page” view option in PowerPoint.

The modules each follow a common approach. The module begins with a general
discussion of the topic for that module, including research background where appropriate.
Most of the modules include a number of photos of various steel framing systems, photos
of post-earthquake damage observations, and photos of laboratory test specimens, when
available to illustrate important behavior concepts. Each of the modules conclude with a
discussion of key aspects of the 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions that pertain to the topic of
that module. In going through the six modules, students will be exposed to the many
portions of the 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions. Not all sections of the Seismic Provisions
are covered in the modules. However, many of the important concepts in seismic
detailing of steel structures, and the corresponding requirements in the Seismic Provisions
are covered.

In addition to the six modules listed above, there is also a seventh module: Module UG –
Brief Overview. This module consists of excerpts from the other six modules, as well as
some original material. Module UG provides only a very brief overview of seismic
detailing of steel building structures, and is intended for an undergraduate audience.

SUGGESTED USES

The material in the six PowerPoint modules is intended primarily for graduate students in
structural engineering. It is assumed students have already taken one or more courses in
basic steel design. It is also helpful if students have had some previous exposure to basic
concepts from classical plastic analysis and design, including the concept of a plastic
hinge and plastic collapse mechanisms.

It is important to emphasize that these modules are not intended to be a general course on
earthquake engineering. The emphasis is almost entirely on seismic detailing of steel
structures. The modules are not intended to cover broader topics in earthquake
engineering and structural dynamics. Thus, the modules do not cover basic seismicity,
dynamic analysis of structures under earthquake loading, computation of earthquake

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loads, soil effects on ground motions, etc. Some of these topics are briefly mentioned in
the modules, but the coverage is minimal.

With over 750 slides within the six modules, there is an enormous amount of material. It
is expected that each instructor will customize these presentations to suit the course in
which it will be used and to suit the available time. A very large number of slides are
included in the modules to provide instructors with an extensive and rich resource from
which to build their own course materials.

Some possible uses of this material:

1. This material can be used as part of as general course on earthquake engineering.
This may be the most effective use of these modules. Students would be exposed
to general topics in earthquake engineering in other parts of the course. These
modules could then be used for a part of the course devoted to earthquake-
resistant design of steel structures.
2. This material could be used as part of a graduate course on structural steel design.
3. This material could be used as a stand alone course on “Seismic Design of Steel
Structures,” “Ductile Design of Steel Structures,” etc. There probably is not
enough material in the six modules for an entire course, but these modules could
be supplemented with other materials, such as detailed design examples, to build
an entire course.

In most cases, there likely will not be enough time in a course to cover all six modules.
For these cases, it is suggested that an instructor cover Module 1 (Introduction and Basic
Principles) and then choose one or more of the other system specific modules, based on
available time. If possible, it would be highly desirable to cover Module 2 (Moment
Resisting Frames). Module 2 provides an extensive discussion of the damage to steel
buildings in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, and lessons learned from this damage.
While this damage occurred primarily to moment resisting frames, the lessons learned
from this damage have broad implications for all steel systems.

For portions of these modules that cannot be covered in class, instructors may consider
providing the remaining modules, with speaker notes, to students for self-study or future
reference.

Module UG – Brief Overview provides a very brief look at seismic design of steel
structures, and is intended for use at the undergraduate level, or as a single lecture in a
graduate course on steel design.

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REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS

This section provides suggestions of references and other materials that can be used in
conjunction with these modules.

Building Code and Related References

ƒ 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings, Standard No.
ANSI/AISC 341-05.

The 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions are a central focus of these modules. Students
should have a copy of the Seismic Provisions to accompany the modules. The Seismic
Provisions can be downloaded for free, in pdf form, from the AISC website:
www.aisc.org.
A copy of the Seismic Provisions is also included in the AISC Seismic Design
Manual.

The AISC Seismic Provisions has an extensive commentary that provides additional
background to the Provisions, and cites numerous references for further information
on selected topics.

ƒ Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for
Seismic Applications, Standard No. ANSI/AISC 358-05.

This standard covers design and construction of moment connections for Special and
Intermediate Moment Frames, and is discussed in Module No. 2. A free copy of this
standard can be downloaded from the AISC website: www.aisc.org. A copy of is also
included in the AISC Seismic Design Manual.

ƒ "Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures," SEI/ASCE 7-05,
American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia, 2005.
This document can be purchased from ASCE at www.asce.org

ƒ "NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and
Other Structures (FEMA 450)", Building Seismic Safety Council, 2003.

The NEHRP Provisions and Commentary can be downloaded for free at

www.bssconline.org

AISC Seismic Design Manual

ƒ Seismic Design Manual, American Institute of Steel Construction, 2007.

The Seismic Design Manual includes a copy of the 2005 AISC Seismic
Provisions and commentary, the Prequalified Connections for Special and

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 Intermediate Moment Frames for Seismic Applications and commentary, and
also includes a number of design aids and design examples.

AISC Design Guides

ƒ Design Guide No. 20 - Steel Plate Shear Walls, American Institute of

Steel Construction, 2007

This design guide provides an extensive discussion on the behavior and

design of steel plate shear walls for seismic applications, and includes a
detailed design example.
AISC Design Guides can be purchased and downloaded at the AISC
website: www.aisc.org (free to members of AISC).

Steel Tips

The Structural Steel Education Council publishes a series of publications call “Steel
Tips,” that cover a variety of practical design issues related to steel structures. Many of
these Steel Tips provide useful information seismic related topics.

Steel Tips can be purchased and downloaded at: http://steeltips.org

Some examples of available Steel Tips:

- Seismic Detailing of Gusset Plates for Special Concentrically Braced Frames

- Buckling and Fracture of Concentric Braces Under Inelastic Loading
- Notes on Design of Double-Angle and Tee Shear Connections for Gravity and Seismic
Loads
- Design of Shear Tab Connections for Gravity and Seismic Loads
- Seismic Design of Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames
- Special Concentric Braced Frames
- Use of Deep Columns In Special Steel Moment Frames
- Seismic Behavior and Design of Composite Steel Plate Shear Walls
- Large Seismic Steel Beam-to-Column Connections
- Welded Moment Frame Connections With Minimal Residual Stress
- Design of Reduced Beam Section (RBS) Moment Frame Connections
- Practical Design and Detailing of Steel Column Base Plates
- Seismic Behavior and Design of Gusset Plates

SAC-FEMA Reports

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The SAC-FEMA project was conducted in response to damage at steel moment
connections in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. This project included numerous research
and design oriented studies, and resulted in an extensive series of reports and design
guides that contain a wealth of information on seismic behavior and design of steel
moment frame structures.

Selected reports of interest:

ƒ FEMA 350
Recommended Seismic Design Criteria for New Steel Moment-Frame Buildings
ƒ FEMA 351
Recommended Seismic Evaluation and Upgrade Criteria for Existing Welded
Steel Moment-Frame Buildings
ƒ FEMA 352
Recommended Postearthquake Evaluation and Repair Criteria for Welded Steel
Moment-Frame Buildings
ƒ FEMA 353
Recommended Specifications and Quality Assurance Guidelines for Steel
Moment-Frame Construction for Seismic Applications
ƒ FEMA 354
A Policy Guide to Steel Moment Frame Construction
ƒ FEMA 355A
State of the Art Report on Base Materials and Fracture
ƒ FEMA 355B
State of the Art Report on Welding and Inspection
ƒ FEMA 355C
State of the Art Report on Systems Performance of Steel Moment Frames Subject to
Earthquake Ground Shaking
ƒ FEMA 355D
State of the Art Report on Connection Performance
ƒ FEMA 355E
State of the Art Report on Past Performance of Steel Moment Frame Buildings in
Earthquakes
ƒ FEMA 355F
State of the Art Report on Performance Prediction and Evaluation of Steel Moment
Frame Structures

These documents are available for free from FEMA: call 1-800-480-2520 (from within
US) also see www.fema.gov]. Some reports are also available at www.aisc.org.

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ACKOWLEDGMENTS

These educational materials were prepared with support from the AISC Educator Career
Enhancement Award. Overall coordination of this effort was provided by Fromy
Rosenberg at AISC. The author gratefully acknowledges support provided by AISC and
the coordination and oversight provided by Mr. Rosenberg.

The author also gratefully acknowledges contributions and review provided by the AISC
Task Group for this project:
Mark Bowman - Purdue University
Steve Mahin - University of California at Berkeley
Brett Manning - PMB 200
Carol Pivonka - AISC
Larry Reaveley - University of Utah
Rafael Sabelli - Dasse Design, San Francisco
Tom Sabol - Englekirk & Sabol Consulting Engineers, Los Angeles
Chia-Ming Uang - University of California at San Diego

The module on Special Plate Shear Walls was prepared by Rafael Sabelli - Dasse Design,
San Francisco.
The contributions of Prof. Sharon Wood of the University of Texas at Austin to Module 1
are also gratefully acknowledged.

The author extends special thanks to Chia-Ming Uang, Tom Sabol and Rafael Sabelli for
many important contributions to this project.

DISCLAIMER

The material contained in these educational modules is the sole responsibility of the
authors. Any opinions, explanations or interpretations of code provisions do not
necessarily reflect the views of AISC or of the individuals listed above. Nothing
contained in these modules should be interpreted as an official interpretation of code
provisions by AISC. These materials are intended for educational purposes only.

CORRECTIONS, COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

The author welcomes corrections, comments or suggestions for improvements to these

modules. Please direct all comments to:

Michael D. Engelhardt mde@mail.utexas.edu