On California Structural Steel Seismic Design

A number of new code developments, largely initiated in California, are taking place in the USA for the seismic design of steel structures. The principal ones are reviewed and commented upon in the paper. Key experimental support for some of the changes is indicated. Major attention is directed to the three main types of steel construction: moment-resisting frames, concentrically braced steel frames, and, the relatively new method for seismic design, eccentric bracing. Some of the proposed and possible practical improvements in moment-resisting connections are given; the reasons for some concern over the use of concentrically braced frames for severe seismic applications are discussed; and a brief overview on the application of eccentrically braced steel frames is presented. The paper concludes with a few remarks on future trends and needs in structural steel seismic design.