Numerical modelling of storage racks subjected to earthquake

This paper presents some aspects of the non linear dynamic time-history analysis of storage racks made of thin-walled steel products commonly used in warehouses when they are subjected to an earthquake action. It focuses essentially on the accounting for structural non-linearities (geometric second order behavior of the structure and non-linear material be-havior of the joints) and for the possible relative motion between the rack and the stored goods that occurs as soon as the inertial force exceeds the friction resistance. In particular, it presents the algorithm used of to couple these two problems, followed by some simple appli-cations and comparisons with test results.