Evaluation of seismic behavior on steel frames with TSW semi-rigid connections under the nonlinear time history analysis

Movements of pulse shape and the high energy applied in short duration by the near fault earthquake, causes brittle fracture in rigid connections that during the Northridge 1994 and Kobe 1995 earthquakes was frequently seen. Rigid connections, which are generally welded due to lack of ductility, have low energy absorption capability. On the other hand semi-rigid connections have a ductile behavior and have a good ability to absorb energy. The purpose of this paper is analysis and compares the behaviors of "rigid" and "TSW semi-rigid" connections under the near fault earthquakes with nonlinear time history analysis by perform 3D software.