Horizontal Self-Centering Structural System in Steel Structures Diaphragms

In this article, the benefits for the seismic behavior of a single-story steel structure fitted with a novel Horizontal Self-Centering Structural System (H-SCSS) between the Vertical Lateral Force Resisting Systems (VLFRS) and the floor diaphragm are investigated. A description is provided of the proposed self-centering system which connects the diaphragm to the vertical lateral force system. Nonlinear static, nonlinear cyclic quasi-static, and time history analysis were compared to explore the benefits, understand the limitations, and identify the controlling parameters in the behavior of a prototype special concentrically braced steel frame (SCBF-X, according to ASCE 7–16) with and without H-SCSS. In general, the following results were observed: reduction of residual drift, concentration of energy dissipation in the fuses, increase in the structure ductility, reduction of stresses and inelastic deformations in the vertical lateral resistance systems. These benefits have the potential to lead to reduce the weight of the structure.