Experimental study on seismic behavior of vierendeel staggered truss steel structures under cyclic load

Based on the experimental result of a 1/3 scale vierendeel staggered truss frame steel structure model under cyclic load,the seismic behavior and failure mechanism of vierendeel staggered truss frame steel structure were studied,and the seismic behaviors were evaluated by the hysteretic behavior,ductility,energy dissipation and rigidity degeneration.The study revealed that the vierendeel staggered truss steel structures had the advantages in bearing capacity,ductility,deformability and energy dissipation,but the lateral rigidity was weak and non-uniform along its vertical layout.The stress measurement showed that the plastic hinge formed in the web members of the truss firstly,then,in the chord members of the truss,and finally the plastic hinge formed in the lower end of the bottom column,earthquake energy mostly dissipated by the truss members,and the failure mechanism of the vierendeel staggered truss steel structures was the beam hinges failure mechanism,which meet the requirements of current code for seismic design of building.