Seismic behavior of wide-flange steel column with confined potential plastic hinge

This experimental project investigates and validates an innovative method to confine the potential plastic hinge zone of hot-rolled H-shape (or wide-flange) steel column for improved seismic behavior. Based on fundamental mechanics, the concept aims at controlling the local buckling of the flange and web elements of the H-shape steel in the potential plastic hinge region of a column. In the experimental program, six model columns were tested under constant axial load and cyclic lateral forces acting in either the weak or the strong axes. Compared with the conventional H-shape steel model columns, the model columns with their potential plastic hinge zone confined by either steel strips or reinforced concrete cover, exhibited excellent seismic performance with large ductility. Analytical efforts to compare with the test results were also made using simple moment-curvature analysis.