Shake-table testing and numerical modelling of inelastic seismic response of semi-rigid cold-formed rack moment frames

An experimental program consisting of quasi-static cyclic, pull-back and seismic shake table tests was conducted to examine the inelastic seismic response of cold-formed selective rack structures. Hysteretic response of the connectors and base plates are presented. In the seismic tests, racks could sustain up to 10% drifts without collapse. Pallet sliding was observed in the tests. A numerical model is proposed in OpenSees to predict the rack seismic response, including pallet sliding. It is used to study the response of 6-bay racks having 3-6 levels. Displacements are sensitive to assumed viscous damping, base plate properties and pallet sliding.