BEHAVIOR FACTOR EVALUATION BASED ON SDOF SYSTEM PRESENTATION AND ENERGY APPROACH

Rectangular steel frames are considered and subjected to strong ground motion. Their behavior factor is numerically evaluated using nonlinear time history analysis and different ground acceleration records. The behavior factor is determined assuming severe collapse mechanism occurs throughout the time history. The system of equations is transformed into single equation end then the energy balance concept is applied. The expression for the behavior factor is derived and its application to four story two bays steel frame is illustrated and the corresponding results are discussed.