• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.105-123
• /
• 2016

In this paper, using the probabilistic methods, the seismic demand of buckling restrained braced frames subjected to earthquake was evaluated. In this regards, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14-storybuildings with different buckling restrained brace configuration (including diagonal, split X, chevron V and Inverted V bracings) were designed. Because of the inherent uncertainties in the earthquake records, incremental dynamical analysis was used to evaluate seismic performance of the structures. Using the results of incremental dynamical analysis, the "capacity of a structure in terms of first mode spectral acceleration", "fragility curve" and "mean annual frequency of exceeding a limit state" was determined. "Mean annual frequency of exceeding a limit state" has been estimated for immediate occupancy (IO) and collapse prevention (CP) limit states using both Probabilistic Seismic Demand Analysis (PSDA) and solution "based on displacement" in the Demand and Capacity Factor Design (DCFD) form. Based on analysis results, the inverted chevron (${\Lambda}$) buckling restrained braced frame has the largest capacity among the considered buckling restrained braces. Moreover, it has the best performance among the considered buckling restrained braces. Also, from fragility curves, it was observed that the fragility probability has increased with the height.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.589-599
• /
• 2019

Conventional buckling restrained braces used in concentrically braced frames are expected to yield in both tension and compression without major degradation of capacity under severe seismic ground motions. One of the weakness points of a standard buckling restrained braced frame is the low post-yield stiffness and thus large residual deformation under moderate to severe ground motions. This phenomenon can be attributed to low post-yield stiffness of core member in a BRB. This paper introduces a multi-core buckling restrained brace. The multi-core term arises from the use of more than one core component with different steel materials, including high-performance steel (HPS-70W) and stainless steel (304L) with high strain hardening properties. Nonlinear dynamic time history analyses were conducted on variety of diagonally braced frames with different heights, in order to compare the seismic performance of regular and multi-core buckling restrained braced frames. The results exhibited that the proposed multi-core buckling restrained braces reduce inter-story and especially residual drift demands in BRBFs. In addition, the results of seismic fragility analysis designated that the probability of exceedance of residual drifts in multi-core buckling restrained braced frames is significantly lower in comparison to standard BRBFs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.547-559
• /
• 2020

Buckling restrained braces (BRBs) were developed as an enhanced alternative to conventional braces by restraining their global buckling, thus allowing development of a stable quasi-symmetric hysteretic response. A wider adoption of buckling restrained braced frames is precluded due to proprietary character of most BRBs and the code requirement for experimental qualification. To overcome these problems, BRBs with capacities corresponding to typical steel multi-storey buildings in Romania were developed and experimentally tested in view of prequalification. The first part of this paper presents the results of the experimental program which included sub-assemblage tests on ten full-scale BRBs and uniaxial tests on components materials (steel and concrete). Two different solutions of the core were investigated: milled from a plate and fabricated from a square steel profile. The strength of the buckling restraining mechanism was also investigated. The influence of gravity loading on the unsymmetrical deformations in the two plastic segments of the core was assessed, and the response of the bolted connections was evaluated. The cyclic response of BRBs was evaluated with respect to a set of performance parameters, and recommendations for design were given.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.203-214
• /
• 2018

Deflection control in tall buildings is a challenging issue. Connecting of the towers is an interesting idea for architects as well as structural engineers. In this paper, two reinforced concrete core-wall towers are connected by a truss bridge with buckling restrained braces. The buildings are 40 and 60-story. The effect of the location of the bridge is investigated. Response spectrum analysis of the linear models is used to obtain the design demands and the systems are designed according to the reliable codes. Then, nonlinear time history analysis at maximum considered earthquake is performed to assess the seismic responses of the systems subjected to far-field and near-field record sets. Fiber elements are used for the reinforced concrete walls. On average, the inter-story drift ratio demand will be minimized when the bridge is approximately located at a height equal to 0.825 times the total height of the building. Besides, because of whipping effects, maximum roof acceleration demand is approximately two times the peak ground acceleration. Plasticity extends near the base and also in major areas of the walls subjected to the seismic loads.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.215-221
• /
• 2018

Buckling-Restrained Braces (BRBs) have been widely applied to tall buildings in seismic areas in the world. In this paper the author summarizes representative types of BRB compositions and shows two cases of special applications of BRBs. In the first case, BRB diagonals for tall building were used to provide stable cyclic nonlinear hysteresis and also used to limit forces generated at columns, connections and walls. The top outriggers are pre-loaded by jacks to resolve long-term differential shortenings between the concrete core wall and concrete-filled steel box columns. The second case is the retrofit work for a communication tower by replacing the insufficiently strong members with BRBs in Japan.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.589-611
• /
• 2016

This paper presents an analytical study aimed at evaluating the seismic performance of steel moment resisting frames (MRFs) retrofitted with different approaches. For this, 3, 6 and 12 storey MRFs having four equal bays of 5 m were selected as the case study models. The models were designed with lateral stiffness insufficient to satisfy code drift and hinge limitations in zones with high seismic hazard. Three different retrofit strategies including traditional diagonal bracing system and energy dissipation devices such as buckling restrained braces and viscoelastic dampers were used for seismic upgrading of the existing structures. In the nonlinear time history analysis, a set of ground motions representative of the design earthquake with 10% exceedance probability in fifty years was taken into consideration. Considering the local and global deformations, the results in terms of inter-storey drift index, global damage index, plastic hinge formations, base shear demand and roof drift time history were compared. It was observed that both buckling-restrained braces and viscoelastic dampers allowed for an efficient reduction in the demands of the upgraded frames as compared to traditional braces.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.699-716
• /
• 2016

Buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs) are commonly used as lateral force-resisting systems in the structures located in seismic-active regions. The nearly symmetric load-displacement behavior of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) helps in dissipating the input seismic energy through metallic hysteresis. In this study, an experimental investigation has been conducted on the reduced-core length BRB (RCLBRB) specimens to evaluate their hysteretic and overall performance under gradually increased cyclic loading. Detachable casings are used for the concrete providing confinement to the steel core segments of all test specimens to facilitate the post-earthquake inspection of steel core elements. The influence of variable core clearance and the local detailing of casings on the cyclic performance of RCLBRB specimens has been studied. The RCLBRB specimen with the detachable casing system and a smaller core clearance at the end zone as compared to the central region exhibited excellent hysteretic behavior without any slip. Such RCLBRB showed balanced higher yielding deformed configuration up to a core strain of 4.2% without any premature instability. The strength-adjustment factors for the RCLBRB specimens are found to be nearly same as that of the conventional BRBs as noticed in the past studies. Simple expressions have been proposed based on the regression analysis to estimate the strength-adjustment factors and equivalent damping potential of the RCLBRB specimens.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2011

The strengthening effect of CFRP sheet and AFRP sheet with buckling-restrained brace for Beam-Column joints under constant axial and cyclic lateral loading is evaluated experimentally in this paper. Six test specimens were constructed. The main test parameters included the FRP Sheet and Buckling-restrained braces. The results of the tests were analyzed by focusing on their mode of failure, maximum load, ductility indexes, and energy dissipation capacity. Test results indicated that CFRP Sheet with the buckling-restrained brace system significantly increased the strength and stiffness of the specimen and that it was the most adequate retrofitting method.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.4 no.6
• /
• pp.437-452
• /
• 2004

A simplified seismic design procedure for steel structures with buckling-restrained braces (BRB) was proposed based on the energy balance concept and the equal energy assumption. The input seismic energy was estimated from a design spectrum, and the elastic and hysteretic energy were computed using energy balance concept. The size of braces was determined so that the hysteretic energy demand was equal to the hysteretic energy dissipated by the BRB. The validity of using equivalent single-degree-of-freedom systems to estimate seismic input and hysteretic energy demand in multi story structures with BRB was investigated through time-history analysis. The story-wise distribution pattern of hysteretic energy demands was also obtained and was applied in the design process. According to analysis results, the maximum displacements of the 3-story structure designed in accordance with the proposed procedure generally coincided with the target displacements on the conservative side. The maximum displacements of the 6- and 8-story structures, however, turned out to be somewhat smaller than the target values due to the participation of higher vibration modes.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.687-699
• /
• 2020

This paper focus on the buckling restrained braces (BRBs) with new casing members (CMs). Seven BRBs with CMs consisting of precast concrete modules (PCMs) were tested to investigate the effects of CMs on the cyclic performance of BRBs. The PCMs consisted of plain and reinforced concrete casted into wooden or steel molds than they were located on the core plate (CP) via bolts. There were 14 or 18 PCMs on the CP for each BRBs. The technique of the PCMs for the CM provides that the BRBs can be constructed inside the steel or reinforced concrete (RC) structures. In this way, their applications may be rapid and practical during the application of the retrofitting. The test results indicated that the cyclic performance of the BRBs was dominated by the connection strength and confinement of the PCMs. The BRBs with PCMs wrapped with fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) sustained stable hysteretic performance up to a CP strain of 2.0 %. This indicates that the new designed BRBs with PCMs were found to be acceptable in terms of cyclic performance. Furthermore, the connection details, isolation materials and their application techniques have been also investigated for the improved BRB design in this study.