Numerical analysis of monitoring of plastic hinge formation in frames under seismic excitations

Preliminary, numerical analyses of a novel Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technique are reported. Based on recent developments of new rotation rate (rotation velocity) sensing devices, it is proposed to use the rotational sensors to measure the rotational difference of structural members to indicate plastic hinge development at the early stage. Respective difference between rotations of two adjacent corner nodes during seismic excitation is used to indicate and possibly quantify plastic hinge formation during seismic response of a moment resisting frame. The preliminary numerical analysis leads to a positive conclusion for the application of the rotation rate sensors in ‘on-line’ monitoring of moment resisting frames subjected to strong, damaging seismic ground motions.