Smart MRF Structural Performance Evaluation Under Seismic Followed by Blast Loading Scenario

This study assessed the effectiveness of smart Steel Moment-Resisting Frame structures (MRFs) featuring Nickel-Titanium Shape-Memory Alloy (NiTi SMA) connection systems under the impact of multi-hazard blast-triggered seismic loading scenario. The NiTi SMA-based connection is designed conforming to the proposed complying key-design procedures proposed by the authors in the previous study. The connection response to the cyclic loading conditions is employed in the steel MRFs, hereafter called smart steel MRFs. A methodology for applying the blast-triggered seismic scenario is presented and applied to the smart steel MRFs by using the time history non-linear analysis. The structural response is evaluated for the blast-triggered seismic performance. A reference model is prepared with steel bolted rigid connections to highlight the role of the NiTi SMA-based connections in reducing the damages occurred due to the blast-triggered seismic events. The results show that the proposed Eurocode-complying key design procedures is considerably efficient to improve the stability of the structure.