Toward Low-Damage Seismic Performance: A Critical Synthesis of Column Base Behavior and Innovative Design Strategies
Keywords:
Continuous Column Concept, Base Flexibility, Low-Damage Design, Seismic Resilience, Drift ConcentrationAbstract
This article presents a critical synthesis of advanced seismic engineering strategies to enhance the resilience of multi-story steel buildings. It examines the shift in seismic design from traditional collapse prevention to prioritizing post-earthquake functionality and operational continuity. Through a focused review of column base behavior, this work addresses a significant gap in conventional design by synthesizing innovative solutions. It details the management of complex structural behaviors such as drift concentration, P-delta effects, and biaxial seismic response, along with their practical implications. The paper discusses low-damage self-centering systems and the Continuous Column Concept (CCC), explaining how column base flexibility can localize inelastic deformation to replaceable components and minimize residual drifts. It highlights significant challenges in practical application, including the need for improved modeling accuracy of column base behavior under multiaxial loading and for accounting for scaling effects in tall buildings. The review concludes by identifying key directions for future research, advocating for refined multi-axial demand modeling, standardization of new design methods, and the development of practical design tools to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and current engineering practice, ultimately guiding the pursuit of truly resilient urban infrastructure.
References
Andrew H. Buchanan DB, Rajesh Dhakal,, Greg MacRae AP, Stefano Pampanin. Base Isolation and Damage-Resistant Technologies for Improved Seismic Performance of Buildings. University of Canterbury, Failure tRCoIiB, Earthquakes CbtC; 2011 2011.
Mieler DHU, S. R; Wright, K. C.,. Overcoming the barriers to uptake of low damage construction: Perceptions from researchers, industry professionals, and end users. GNS Science Report 2014. Contract No.: 38.
Montuori R, Nastri E, Tagliafierro B. Residual displacements for non-degrading bilinear oscillators under seismic actions. Mechanics Research Communications. 2021;111.
Ashkan Hashemi RL, Setu Agarwal, Soheil Assadi, and Pierre Quenneville. Friction-Based Bracing Systems for Low-Damage and Economic Design of High-Importance Structures in Australia. Australian Earthquake Engineering Society National Conference, ; 20–22 November 2025; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia2025.
Edoardo Cosenza GMaGMV. A new strategy for the seismic assessment of existing RC buildings. ANNALS OF GEOPHYSICS. 2002;45.
Leelataviwat S. DRIFT AND YIELD MECHANISM BASED SEISMIC DESIGN AND UPGRADING OF STEEL MOMENT FRAMES: The University of Michigan; 1998.
MacRae GA. The Continuous Column Concept - Development and Use. Proceedings of the Ninth Pacific Conference on Earthquake Engineering; 14–16 April; Auckland, New Zealand: Building an Earthquake- esilient Society; 2011.
MacRae GA, Kimura Y, Roeder C. Effect of Column Stiffness on Braced Frame Seismic Behavior. Journal of Structural Engineering. 2004;130(3):381–91.
Ikago K. Dynamic instability in high-rise steel structures subjected to strong ground motions: A review.
T. Hansoulle' NB, R. Gonçalves, D. Camotim, J.P. Jaspart. DESIGN OF BEAM-COLUMNS IN STEEL SWAY FRAMES: FROM THE ACTUAL MEMBER TO A SIMPLY SUPPORTED EQUIVALENT ONE. Annual Technical Session & Meeting; April 2007; New Orleans2007.
S. Dehghanian GAM, A. S. Moghadam P-delta or P-theta analysis? NZSEE 2024 Annual Conference: New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering; 2024.
Safaei S, MacRae GA, Moghadam AS. Column Base Flexibility Effects on the Seismic Performance of Single-bay Single-story Steel Moment Frames. Journal of Earthquake Engineering. 2022;27(8):2279–97.
Borzouie J, Chase JG, MacRae GA, Rodgers GW, Clifton GC. Spectral Assessment of the Effects of Base Flexibility on Seismic Demands of a Structure. Advances in Civil Engineering. 2016;2016:1–8.
Borzouie J, Rodgers G, Macrae G, Clifton G, S. Moghadam A. Base Connections Seismic Sustainability and Base Flexibility Effects. Steel Innovations Conference; Christchurch, New Zealand2013.
Borzouie J, MacRae G, Chase G, Rodgers G, Clifton C, editors. The effect of base flexibility on demands of the structure. New Zealand Society of Earthquake Engineering Annual Conference; 2013.
Tjahjanto H, MacRae G, Abu A, Clifton C, Beetham T, Mago N, editors. Behavior of External Diaphragm Connections for Square CFST Columns Under Bidirectional Loadings. The 8th International Conference on Behavior of Steel Structures in Seismic Areas; 2015; Shanghai, China.
Stathas N, Di Sarno L, Wu J, Freddi F, D'Aniello M, Bousias S, et al. Biaxial seismic response of base-column connections in sub-standard steel buildings: dataset. Open Res Eur. 2024;4:161.
Eyitayo A. Opabola KJE, and Santiago Pujol. Influence of Biaxial Lateral Loading on Seismic Response of Reinforced Concrete Columns. ACI Structural Journal. 2020;117(6).
Faramarz KHOSHNOUDIAN MP. RESPONSES OF THREE DIMENSIONAL BUILDINGS UNDER BIDIRECTIONAL AND UNIDIRECTIONAL SEISMIC EXCITATIONS. 13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering; August 1–6, 2004; Vancouver, B.C., Canada2004.
Krawinkler BAaH. EFFECTS OF NEAR-FAULT GROUND MOTIONS ON FRAME STRUCTURES. Stanford University, Engineering CaE; 2001. Report No.: 138.
Jin J, Nagae T, Chung Y-L. Seismic and collapse behavior of existing high-rise steel buildings under long-period earthquakes. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2023;211:108151.
G. A. MacRae EVA, J. D. Pettinga, B. Deam and V. Sadashiva. A simple design method for yielding structures subject to torsion. The 14th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering October 12–17; Beijing, China2008.
MacRae GA, Urmson CR, Walpole WR, Moss P, Hyde K, Clifton C. Axial shortening of steel columns in buildings subjected to earthquakes. Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering. 2009;42(4):275–87.
Hatami M, Borzouie J, Macrae G, Yekrangnia M, Abubakar S. Finite Element Analysis of Column Base Weak Axis Aligned Asymmetric Friction Connection. 8th International Conference on Behavior of Steel Structures in Seismic Areas
July 1–3, 2015; Shanghai, China2015.
Li F, Li Y, Luo W, Lei C, Pan W, Ji S. A new seismic strategy for strong column-weak beam design philosophy in RC frame structures. Structures. 2025;77.
Montuori R, Nastri E, Tagliafierro B. An Optimal Seismic Force Pattern for Uniform Drift Distribution. Buildings. 2019;9(11).
Salem A, Elserwi A, El Dib F, editors. In-Plane Stability Considerations of Column Braced Steel Frames. Annual Stability Conference; 2011 May 10–14; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Structural Stability Research Council.
Hyland C. Portal Frame Design Tips Seminar Proceedings. Steel Construction New Zealand Inc. 2010(Steel Advisor GEN7001).
Dell’Aglio G, Montuori R, Nastri E, Piluso V. Consideration of second-order effects on plastic design of steel moment resisting frames. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering. 2019;17(6):3041–70.
Grigorian CE, Grigorian M. Performance Control and Efficient Design of Rocking-Wall Moment Frames. Journal of Structural Engineering. 2016;142(2).
Luigi Petti AL, Bruno Palazzo. A New Strategy To Control The Seismic Response Of Buildings: The Base Dissipation. International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET). 2014;6.
Colajanni P, La Mendola L, Monaco A, Pagnotta S. Low-Damage Friction Connections in Hybrid Joints of Frames of Reinforced-Concrete Buildings. Applied Sciences. 2023;13(13).
Li B-y, Yang Y-L, Chen Y-F, Cheng W, Zhang L-B. Behavior of connections between square CFST columns and H-section steel beams. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2018;145:10–27.
Pan J, Huang R, Xu J, Wang P, Wang Z, Chen J. Behavior of exposed column-base connections with four internal anchor bolts under seismic loading. Structures. 2021;34:105–19.
Li X, Zhou T, Li J, Kuang X-B, Zhao Y-W. Seismic behavior of encased CFT column base connections. Engineering Structures. 2019;182:363–78.
Liu J, Zhou X, Zhang S. Seismic behaviour of square CFT beam–columns under biaxial bending moment. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2008;64(12):1473–82.
Ji X, Kato M, Wang T, Hitaka T, Nakashima M. Effect of gravity columns on mitigation of drift concentration for braced frames. Journal of Constructional Steel Research. 2009;65(12):2148–56.
Bagheri H, Hashemi A, Quenneville P, Yan Z, Clifton G, Zarnani P, et al. Full-scale shaking table testing of a low-damage steel structure using Resilient Slip Friction Joint. NZSEE Annual Conference; 2020: New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering; 2020.
Henry RS, Zhou Y, Lu Y, Rodgers GW, Gu A, Elwood KJ, et al. Shake‐table test of a two‐storey low‐damage concrete wall building. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics. 2021;50(12):3160–83.
Hao-Xiang He, Li-Can Liao, and Shi-Tao Cheng. Damping performance experiment and damage analysis of replacement connection with low yield-point steel. Advanced Steel Construction. 2021;17:169–80.
Classification of Multi-Storey Frames. European Structural Design Education PartnershipSTRUCTURAL SYSTEMS: BUILDINGS. Available from: Classification of Multi-Storey Frames. European Structural Design.
Li Q, Zou A, Zhang H. A simplified method for stability analysis of multi-story frames considering vertical interactions between stories. Advances in Structural Engineering. 2016;19(4):599–610.
Ronald O. Hamburger HK, James O. Malley, Scott M. Adan. Seismic Design of Steel Special Moment Frames: A Guide for Practicing Engineers2009.
Larry Griffis RS. Fast and Efficient Design for Stability. The Steel Conference; 2020; Virtual Conferen: NASCC; 2020.
Lettieri A, Elettore E, Freddi F, Latour M, Rizzano G. Performance‐based assessment of seismic‐resilient steel moment resisting frames equipped with innovative column base connections. ce/papers. 2021;4(2-4):1736–46.
Fahimeh Tork Ladani GM, Geoffrey Chase. EFFECTS OF COLUMN SPLICE LOCATION ON SEISMIC DEMANDS IN STEEL MOMEMNT FRAMES CONSIDERING SPLICE FLEXIBILITY. 8th International Conference on Behavior of Steel Structures in Seismic Areas; July 1–3, 2015; Shanghai, China2015.
Cui J, Lee C, MacRae G. Strong-axis and weak-axis buckling of buckling restrained braces under bidirectional loading. Pacific Conference on Earthquake Engineering2019. p. 4–6.
Pantidis P, Hill T, Gerasimidis S, editors. The impact of gravity connections on the progressive collapse response of steel framed and concrete composite buildings. Annual Stability Conference, Structural Stability Research Council; 2018 April 10–13; Baltimore, Maryland.
Rezania J, Torkzadeh P. Evaluation of Progressive Collapse Performance in Double layer Diamatic Domes. Civil Engineering Journal. 2019;5(10):2167–79.
Javid Rezania MH, Alireza Rasekhi. Investigating the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Civil Engineering and Progressive Collapse. Civil and Project. 2023;5(9):11–22.
Possidente L, Freddi F, Tondini N. Dynamic increase factors for progressive collapse analysis of steel structures considering column buckling. Engineering Failure Analysis. 2024;160.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Scientific Journal of Research Studies in Future Civil Engineering
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
