• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.673-687
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• 2023

In this study, the weight and the connections type layout of low-rise eccentrically braced frame (EBF) have been optimized based on performance-based design method. For this purpose, two objective functions were defined based on two different aspects on rigid connections, in one of which minimization and in the other one, maximization of the number of rigid connections was considered. These two objective functions seek to increase the area under the pushover curve, in addition to the reduction of the weight and selection of the optimum connections type layout. The performance of these objective functions was investigated in optimal design of a three-story eccentrically braced frame, using two meta-heuristic algorithms: Enhanced Colliding Bodies Optimization (ECBO) and Enhanced Vibrating Particles System (EVPS). Then, the reliability indices of the optimal designs for both objective functions were calculated for the story lateral drift limits using Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS) method. Based on the reliability assessment results of the optimal designs and taking the three levels of safety into account, the final designs were selected and their specifications were compared.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2021

Eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) are utilized as a lateral resisting system in high seismic zones. Links are the primary source of energy dissipation and they are exposed to high deformation, which may lead to buckling. Web stiffeners were introduced to prevent buckling of shear link. AISC 341 provides the required vertical stiffeners for a shear link. In this study, different stiffener configurations were examined. The main objective is to improve the behavior of short links using different stiffener configurations. Pursuant to this goal, a comprehensive numerical study is conducted using ABAQUS. Shear links with different stiffener configurations were subjected to cyclic loading using loading protocol mandated by AISC 341. The results are compared in terms of energy dissipation and shear capacities and rupture index. The proposed stiffener configurations were further verified with different link length ratios, I-shapes and thickness of stiffener. Based on the results, the stiffener configuration with two vertical and two diagonal stiffeners perpendicular to each other is recommended. The proposed stiffener configuration can increase the shear capacity, energy dissipation capacity and the ratio of energy/weight up to 27%, 38% and 30%, respectively. Detailing of the proposed stiffener configuration is presented.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.553-564
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• 2022

Many existing reinforced concrete (RC) structures need to be strengthening for reason such as poor construction quality, low ductility or designing without considering seismic effects. One of the strengthening methods is strengthening technique with eccentrically braced frames (EBFs). The characteristic element of these systems is the link element and its length is very important in terms of seismic behavior. The link element of Y shaped EBF systems (YEBFs) is designed as a short shear element. Different limits are suggested in the literature for the link length. This study to aim experimentally investigate the effect of the link length for the suggested limits on the behavior of the RC frame system and efficiency of strengthening technique. For this purpose, a total of 5 single story, single span RC frame specimens were produced. The design of the RC frames was made considering seismic design deficiencies. Four of the produced specimens were strengthened and one of them remained as bare specimen. The steel YEBFs were used in strengthening the RC frame and the link was designed as a shear element that have different length with respect to suggested limits in literature. The length of links was determined as 50mm, 100mm, 150mm and 200mm. All of the specimens were tested under cyclic loads. The obtained results show that the strengthening technique improved the energy consumption and lateral load bearing capacities of the bare RC specimen. Moreover, it is concluded that the specimens YB-2 and YB-3 showed better performance than the other specimens, especially in energy consumption and ductility.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

In this study of Eccentric Braced Frames have identified the following target eccentricity on the length of the inelastic behavior of the reaction by calculating the correction factor by comparing it to the value suggested by the earthquake provided material for the rational design aims to There are. As a variable-length V-braced frame analysis model stations were set up. Eccentricity faults in the model according to the length stiffness ratio, the maximum amount of energy dissipation were analyzed base shear and multi-layered model of the reaction from the eccentricity correction factor calculated on the length of the building standards proposed by KBC 2009 in response eccentricity correction factor calculated from The length varies. does not have the same response modification factor was confirmed.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.627-645
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• 2016

When an eccentrically braced frame (EBF) is subjected to severe earthquakes, the links experience inelastic deformations while beams outside of the link, braces and columns are designed to remain elastic. To perform reliable inelastic analyses of EBFs sufficient analytical model which can accurately predict the inelastic performance of the links is needed. It is said in the literature that available analytical models for shear links generally predict very well the maximum shear forces and deformations from experiments on shear links, but may underestimate the intermediary values. In this study it is shown that available analytical models do not predict very well the maximum shear forces and deformations too. In this study an analytical model which can accurately predict both maximum and intermediary values of shear force and deformation is proposed. The model parameters are established based on test results from several experiments on shear links. Comparison of available test results with the hysteresis curves obtained using the proposed analytical model established the accuracy of the model. The proposed model is recommended to be used to perform inelastic analyses of EBFs.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.619-637
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• 2015

A field based non-destructive hardness method is being developed to determine plastic strain in steel elements subjected to seismic loading. The focus of this study is on the active links of eccentrically braced frames (EBFs). The 2010/2011 Christchurch earthquake series, especially the very intense February 22 shaking, which was the first earthquake worldwide to push complete EBF systems into their inelastic state, generating a moderate to high level of plastic strain in EBF active links for a range of buildings from 3 to 23 storeys in height. Plastic deformation was confined to the active links. This raised two important questions: what was the extent of plastic deformation and what effect does that have on post-earthquake steel properties? A non-destructive hardness test method is being used to determine a relationship between hardness and plastic strain in active link beams. Active links from the earthquake affected, 23-storey Pacific Tower building in Christchurch are being analysed in the field and laboratory. Test results to date show clear evidence that this method is able to give a good relationship between plastic strain and demand. This paper presents significant findings from this project to investigate the relationship between hardness and plastic strain that warrant publication prior to the completion of the project. Principal of these is the discovery that hot rolled steel beams carry manufacturing induced plastic strains, in regions of the webs, of up to 5%.

• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.271-278
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• 2021

According to the capacity design of eccentrically braced frames (EBFs), non-dissipative members such as columns, link-exterior beams, and braces must remain within the elastic region when a fully-yielded and strain-hardened link transmits force to them. The current AISC 341 standard suggests a strain-hardening factor (SHF) of 1.25 for a link under capacity design, regardless of its properties. However, all the links in an EBF are not likely to yield simultaneously to the extent to which the overstrength corresponding to 1.25 times their expected strength is attained, especially for high-rise buildings. Considering this phenomenon, a technique to predict the SHF of links at the limit state of the structure is proposed in this paper. The exact prediction of the links' SHF could save structural quantities dramatically while achieving the principle of capacity design. To validate the effectiveness of this technique, SHF values predicted by conducting linear analysis were compared with those evaluated by nonlinear analysis. Furthermore, the maximum demand-to-capacity ratios of the non-dissipative members were calculated to verify whether they would remain elastic at the limit state of the structure. Consequently, EBFs designed by the proposed method showed substantially economical quantities through the exact prediction of the SHFs, and the intention of capacity design was successfully achieved.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.417-431
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• 2024

The fundamental period of vibration is one of the most critical parameters in the analysis and design of structures, as it depends on the distribution of stiffness and mass within the structure. Therefore, building codes propose empirical equations based on the observed periods of actual buildings during seismic events and ambient vibration tests. However, despite the fact that infill walls increase the stiffness and mass of the structure, causing significant changes in the fundamental period, most of these equations do not account for the presence of infills walls in the structure. Typically, these equations are dependent on both the structural system type and building height. The different values between the empirical and analytical periods are due to the elimination of non-structural effects in the analytical methods. Therefore, the presence of non-structural elements, such as infill panels, should be carefully considered. Another critical factor influencing the fundamental period is the effect of Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI). Most seismic building design codes generally consider SSI to be beneficial to the structural system under seismic loading, as it increases the fundamental period and leads to higher damping of the system. Recent case studies and postseismic observations suggest that SSI can have detrimental effects, and neglecting its impact could lead to unsafe design, especially for structures located on soft soil. The current research focuses on investigating the effect of infill panels on the fundamental period of moment-resisting and eccentrically braced steel frames while considering the influence of soil-structure interaction. To achieve this, the effects of building height, infill wall stiffness, infill openings and soil structure interactions were studied using 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18-story 3-D frames. These frames were modeled and analyzed using SeismoStruct software. The calculated values of the fundamental period were then compared with those obtained from the proposed equation in the seismic code. The results indicate that changing the number of stories and the soil type significantly affects the fundamental period of structures. Moreover, as the percentage of infill openings increases, the fundamental period of the structure increases almost linearly. Additionally, soil-structure interaction strongly affects the fundamental periods of structures, especially for more flexible soils. This effect is more pronounced when the infill wall stiffness is higher. In conclusion, new equations are proposed for predicting the fundamental periods of Moment Resisting Frame (MRF) and Eccentrically Braced Frame (EBF) buildings. These equations are functions of various parameters, including building height, modulus of elasticity, infill wall thickness, infill wall percentage, and soil types.