The study of the seismic behavior of structures under strong ground motions has shown that translation components are cause of structural collapses. To prevent the progressive collapse of structures, it is imperative to duly consider the effects of abnormal loads during the design and construction. These loads are of seismic and dynamic nature and have the potential to impose destructive loads on structural members. This study first examines the characteristics of the rotational components of ground motion and a method for reproducing these components. After examining the near-field and far-field translational and rotational components, the study compares the effects of rotational components with and without transitional components on steel structures. The structural parameters are various lateral load resisting system (special moment frame and dual frame) and the height of the structure. Finally, the potential of progressive collapse during the earthquake loading is evaluated. The results shows that the hinge formation pattern is more critical when the structure is subjected to seismic excitation. Moreover rotational components play a more critical role in tall structures. The obtained drift diagrams showed that rotational components had a significant impact on the seismic performance of the modeled structures.
