Discussion on performance-based seismic design method of steel structure and its improvement research

The existing seismic design method based on GB 50011-2010 “Code for Seismic Design of Buildings” (referred to as traditional code design method) in China does not consider the ductility differences of different structural systems and cannot effectively reflect the good seismic ductility of steel structures. In addition, considering that the traditional code design method is difficult to quickly update to adapt to the development and application of new systems and new technologies, it is imperative to develop a performance-based seismic design method. This paper compares and summarizes the performance-based design methods involved in the existing major domestic standards, sorts out their main characteristics and problems in application, clarifies the essence of performance-based design, and refers to the current international advanced performance-based design ideas and combines existing engineering practice experience to study the improvement method of existing seismic performance-based design of steel structures. It discusses from many aspects such as design process, performance target setting, analysis method selection and evaluation criteria, and suggests that performance-based design should be promoted to a design method parallel to the traditional code design method, so as to reduce the restrictions such as regular requirements in the code. Compared with the existing traditional code design method, the improved method has higher flexibility and can be applied to various high-ductility or new system structures including over-limit structures. The ideas and concepts of this method can be expanded to special structural analyses including wind resistance, fire resistance, corrosion resistance and comfort. The increasingly mature numerical simulation calculations can be used as an important means and basis for various performance designs and evaluations, so as to further form and improve the performance-based design framework and process for the entire life cycle of steel structures, give full play to the good performance of steel structures, and bring positive impacts to promoting the application and development of steel structures in multiple fields.