Resilience analysis of smart Steel Moment Resisting Frame under seismic-LPG tank explosion

This study investigates the probabilistic resilience analysis of smart Steel Moment-Resisting Frame structures (MRFs) equipped with Nickel-Titanium Shape-Memory Alloy (NiTi SMA) connections. The smart connections are designed and developed to feature blast resistance characteristics. A probabilistic resilience approach is employed to quantify the resilience of the proposed smart Steel Moment-Resisting Frame structures (MRFs). This approach involves assessing the structures’ performance under multi-hazard events while maintaining their essential functions. Single-hazard scenarios of seismic and blast loading were used as a benchmark to evaluate the performance of smart frames under multi-hazard conditions. The methodology integrates results from fragility analysis, which provides insights into the structural vulnerability under different hazard scenarios. From the fragility curves generated, vulnerability curves are derived which are the basis for calculating the loss function and the resilience index. A reference model is prepared with steel-bolted rigid connections. The structural response is evaluated for the seismic-blast triggered in the sense of a functionality curve. The results highlighted the role of NiTi SMA connections in reducing the damages induced by seismic-blast-triggered gas explosion events, providing enhanced structural resilience and less vulnerability to multi-hazard scenarios. The results also show that the proposed Eurocode-complying key design procedures are considerably efficient in improving the stability and resilience of the structure.