The effect of connection hysteretic behaviour on seismic damage to moment resisting steel frames

Current paper focuses on beam-to-column connections, which play a very important role in determining the seismic performance of moment resisting steel frames. In particular, the mechanical modeling of these structural components is investigated, aiming at correct dynamic analyses of this structural typology. On the basis of a previously developed mathematical model, which simulates the static cyclic inelastic behaviour of steel beam-to-column joints, a parametric study is herein presented, relating the effect of strength cyclic deterioration and pinching of hysteresis loops on the predicted values of plastic deformation and energy dissipation demand.