HERA is pleased to announce the publication of HERA Report R4-156 – Seismic Design of Moment Resisting Frames

This report has been authored by A/Prof G. Charles Clifton of the University of Auckland, Dr Kaveh Andisheh of HERA and Zahid Hamid of SCNZ. The report is the result of significant edits to the Moment Resisting Frames (MRF) section of HERA Report R4-76, to account for changes to NZS3404 and NZS1170.5 since R4-76 was published, as well as lessons learnt in the Christchurch earthquake series and a number of other research papers.

The new design guide follows the capacity design procedures from NZS3404:1997 including amendments 1 and 2.

The design guide also includes a capacity design based worked example of a multistorey steel framed building. It covers the determination of the seismic and gravity design actions of the 4 storey building following an equivalent static approach. ETABS structural analysis software has been used to obtain the relevant forces and displacements for design as well as to determine the fundamental period of the building. Once all design loads have been determined the example follows the design of the beams and columns in the MRF including details on how to determine the overstrength factors for capacity design.

This report will be valuable to all practising engineers in New Zealand. It would be a valuable resource in any consultancy’s library alongside a copy of P4001.

To purchase the report, please click here or, if you are a HERA Member, get in touch with our library at info@hera.org.nz to borrow a copy.

Update shared by our Manager Structural Systems, Kaveh Andisheh.