A numerical study on the linked column frame structural systems

The idea of using the frame with the linked column in the earthquake resistant structures is a new issue and considered as one of the novel types of seismic protection systems. In this study, the nonlinear behavior of the moment resisting frame (MRF) and the linked column frame (LCF) were investigated comparatively based on the pushover and time history analysis. To this aim, 3-story and 6-bay steel frame models with and without the linked columns were studied. The LCF models were designed as one linked column (LCF1), three linked columns (LCF3), five linked columns (LCF5) and seven linked columns (LCF7). The spacing between the linked column was also altered as 1, 2 and 3 m for all models. Thus, a total of 13 different frame models (covering a bare MRF and 12 LCFs) was taken into account. The capacity curve, story displacement and drift variation, time history plots, and plastic hinge formation for all structures were evaluated. In the time history analysis, three different earthquake ground motions were used. The case studied MRF was observed to be the most vulnerable under the earthquakes. However, it was pointed out that by introducing the link column into the frame, the seismic demands were successfully controlled, depending mainly on the number and spacing of the linked columns.