SEISMIC ASSESSMENT OF A STEEL BUILDING DESIGNED ACCORDING TO EUROPEAN, JAPANESE AND ADVANCED SEISMIC DESIGN METHODOLOGIES

This study provides a comparison of seismic design methodologies for steel Moment Resisting Frames (MRFs) based on Japanese and European codes, both developed in response to severe earthquakes in their respective regions. In high-seismicity zones, MRFs are designed to maximize energy dissipation through the formation of plastic hinges at beam ends. In the European approach, seismic design follows Eurocode 8, while the Japanese approach is governed by the Building Standard of Law. This research focuses on the latest version of Eurocode 8, which introduces three ductility classes for seismic design. Specifically, it examines the highest ductility class, DC3, comparing it to the standard Japanese methodology known as "Route 3." A case study of a seven-story steel office building was designed using both codes, incorporating also an advanced seismic design approach known as the “Theory of Plastic Mechanism Control” (TPMC) developed in the α-θ plane. The seismic performance was assessed through pushover analyses using OpenSees software. Comparative results illustrate the performance of the structures based on pushover curves and collapse mechanisms.