Assessment of seismic design coefficients for composite special moment frames with reinforced concrete columns and steel beams: Evaluation of code recommendations

The main aim of this study is to quantify the code seismic design coefficients of the RCS system, which consisted of reinforced concrete columns and steel beams, based on the FEMA P-695 methodology. The underlying intention is to evaluate the seismic performance of the RCS system at the system level rather than the connection level. A set of 24 archetype buildings with a various number of stories, beam span lengths, gravity load levels, and seismic load levels are selected and designed based on the prevailing code requirements. Nonlinear analytical models are developed and validated by experimental tests. The pushover and response history dynamic analyses are conducted to evaluate the required data in the performance quantification process. The results show that the design coefficients suggested by the code are acceptable. However, the level of conservatism is very high. Thus, it is possible to use a larger R-factor in the design process or make some relaxations in the design requirements related to this structural system.