On the use of HSS in seismic-resistant structures

•Rational approach aiming to the use of HSS in seismic resistant structures is presented.•The use of normal steel beam and properly designed HSS columns is proposed.•Column section are designed by TPMC.

In the present work a design approach aiming to the use of high strength steel (HSS) in seismic resistant structures is presented. In particular, in order to exploit all the possible benefits deriving from the use of high strength steel, without adversely affecting local and global ductility supply, the use of MR-Frames with normal steel beams and properly designed HSS columns is proposed. Column sections are dimensioned by means of the Theory of Plastic Mechanism Control (TPMC) to guarantee structures failing according to a global type mechanism aiming to assure that HSS columns remain in elastic range. In addition, aiming to prevent column yielding also at the base of first storey, column-base connections are designed to transmit axial and shear forces only, thus completely preventing column hinging, but reducing the structural lateral stiffness. Therefore, serviceability requirements are assured by means of brace members, so that the structure behaves like a MRF-CBF dual system.The fulfilment of the design goal has been pointed out by means of both push-over and nonlinear dynamic analyses whose results are herein presented and discussed.