Seismic performance assessment of two-storied light gauge steel frame structure

In order to meet the requirement of the growing global construction market, various new construction technologies have been introduced in the past few years that not only have tremendous advantages in terms of safety, durability, and restorability when compared to traditional construction but also ensure sustainable development. One such technology is light gauge steel frame structure (LGSF) that has several advantages such as lightweight, enabling fast construction, less labour cost, no usage of formwork, and reducing wastage of building material, over the traditional construction like masonry and reinforced concrete construction. However, LGSF prefabricated technology has not yet been studied in depth. The present study is focussed on the performance evaluation of LGSF structure using different seismic methods, namely linear static analysis, nonlinear static analysis, and nonlinear dynamic analysis. To perform the analysis, an analytical model of an under-construction structure was formulated using cold-formed steel (CFS) profile-89 and the same model with CFS profile-150. The performance was evaluated in terms of displacement, storey/base shear, and performance levels. From the linear static analysis, it was observed that the response of the structure for both the profiles was within permissible limits as per relevant Indian standards. Based on the nonlinear static and nonlinear dynamic analysis as per ASCE/SEI 41-13 2014, it was obtained that performance of both the structures was at life safety level.