Development of a Python-based computational tool for the seismic analysis and preliminary design of special steel frames with IPE-type beams and rectangular tubular columns (HSS), in accordance with NEC standards, applied to buildings in the city of Riobamba

Abstract

This article presents the development and validation of a Python-based computational tool for the structural analysis and preliminary seismic design of special steel moment frames composed of IPE beams and rectangular Hollow Structural Section columns, following the criteria established in the Ecuadorian Construction Code; the proposal constitutes an open, traceable, and reproducible alternative intended to support the preliminary technical review of structural projects in the city of Riobamba through the verification of loads, displacements, internal forces, load combinations, and minimum member sections; the tool implements the matrix stiffness method for plane frames and allows the definition of structural geometry, mechanical properties, gravity loads, seismic action, nodal displacements, reactions, and internal forces, while also incorporating preliminary code-compliance checks consistent with the criteria applied in municipal review processes; validation was performed by comparing the results obtained with the Python tool against the values reported in the structural calculation documents of two real projects located in Riobamba, identified as Case A and Case B; in Case A, the difference in seismic base shear was 0.0028%, whereas in Case B the fundamental period differed by approximately 3.1%, the base shear by 8.89%, and the bending moment of the critical member by 0.018%; the results indicate that the proposed tool reasonably reproduces the global and local behavior of HSS–IPE frames and provides traceability for preliminary structural review and comparison with documented reference results.