Seismic Assessment of Frameless System

Frameless system is a solution for long-span low-rise steel structures that consists of engineered cold-formed steel corrugated panels (CFSCPs), thus eliminating the need for additional seismic force resisting system. The corrugated panels (such as the wall, ceiling and roof elements) are fabricated off-site, shipped to site and assembled. This makes Frameless system one of the most efficient solutions for commercial and industrial constructions, where short erection time is required. A general scheme of Frameless system consists of roof and ceiling panels linked by cold-formed truss elements.

There is a gap of knowledge to confirm the applicability of using Frameless system as a seismic force resisting system. Currently, the seismic design practice for the Frameless system uses a force-based approach, where Frameless system is designed as conventional construction. There are no registers of Frameless system in previous seismic events and no test data in terms of cyclic response. This research is targeted to investigate the seismic performance of Frameless system. In this multi-phase collaborative research, the seismic behavior of Frameless systems is investigated by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the CFSCP components followed by evaluation of system level performance in regions of Canada with high seismic activity.

Extensive experimental tests are being conducted to understand the complex behavior of the CFSCPs under combined axial and cyclic shear loads. Subsequently, robust finite element models capable of capturing complex behavior of the CFSCPs will be calibrated to assess the system level performance.

 

Upon successful completion, a robust seismic design guideline for Frameless system in Canada will be developed. Such guidelines will ease the current seismic design challenges and provide a more efficient design methodology for Frameless system in Canada.