Investigating the impact of Eurocode 8 revision on SMRF design and performance: A comparative study

This paper compares seismic designs and performances of steel moment-resisting frames (SMRFs) designed using the specific rules for steel design given in the current & revised versions of Eurocode 8. A parametric case study of 96 frames is conducted varying key parameters such as design code, ductility classes, number of storeys, span length, and material strength. The case study frames are analysed and designed to both versions of the EC8, and their seismic performances are investigated through non-linear static and dynamic analyses. The results highlight the effects of the recent changes, showing that stability is not the governing requirement with the revised code and that lighter solutions in terms of steel mass were possible for the regularly spaced frames using the revised code.