Seismic performance factors for low‐ to mid‐rise steel diagrid structural systems

Summary Diagrids are known as an esthetically pleasing and structurally efficient system. The current design codes and provisions, however, provide no specific guidelines for their design under extreme events such as earthquakes. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the performance of steel diagrid structures to evaluate their key seismic performance factors. Nonlinear static, time‐history dynamic, and incremental dynamic analyses are used to assess diagrid performance and collapse mechanisms in a high seismic region. Seismic performance factors including response modification factor, ductility factor, overstrength factor, and deflection amplification factor are quantified using 4 different methodologies. Four archetype groups of diagrid buildings ranging in height from 4 to 30 stories have been investigated. An R factor in the range of 4 to 5 is recommended for steel diagrid frames in the range of 8 to 30 stories unless supplementary analyses are conducted to find the optimal diagonal angle. For low‐rise steel diagrids (under 8 stories), an R factor in the range of 3.5 to 4 is recommended. Further, an overstrength and ductility of 2.5 and 2 are recommended. This paper lays the groundwork for including steel diagrids in design provisions.