• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.527-542
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• 2020

In traditional eccentrically braced steel frames, damages and plastic deformations are limited to the links and the main structure members are required tremendous sizes to ensure elasticity with no damage based on the force-based seismic design method, this limits the practical application of the structure. The high strength steel frames with eccentric braces refer to Q345 (the nominal yield strength is 345 MPa) steel used for links, and Q460 steel utilized for columns and beams in the eccentrically brace steel frames, the application of high strength steels not only brings out better economy and higher strength, but also wider application prospects in seismic fortification zone. Here, the structures with four type eccentric braces are chosen, including K-type, Y-type, D-type and V-type. These four types EBFs have various performances, such as stiffness, bearing capacity, ductility and failure mode. To evaluate the seismic behavior of the high strength steel frames with variable eccentric braces within the similar performance objectives, four types EBFs with 4-storey, 8-storey, 12-storey and 16-storey were designed by performance-based seismic design method. The nonlinear static behavior by pushover analysis and dynamic performance by time history analysis in the SAP2000 software was applied. A total of 11 ground motion records are adopted in the time history analysis. Ground motions representing three seismic hazards: first, elastic behavior in low earthquake hazard level for immediate occupancy, second, inelastic behavior of links in moderate earthquake hazard level for rapid repair, and third, inelastic behavior of the whole structure in very high earthquake hazard level for collapse prevention. The analyses results indicated that all structures have similar failure mode and seismic performance.

• Journal of Korean Association for Spatial Structures
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.39-48
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• 2022

The energy dissipation of inverted V-type eccentric steel braced frames can be achieved through the yielding of a slit link, through yielding of a number of strips between slits when the frame is subjected to inelastic cyclic deformation. On the other hand, the development of seismic resistance system without residual deformation is obtained by applying the superelasdtic shape memory alloy (SMA) material into the brace and link elements. This paper presents results from a systematic three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis on the structural behavior of the eccentric bracing systems subjected to cyclic loadings. A wide scope of structural behaviors explains the horizontal stiffness, hysteretic behaviors, and failure modes of the recentering eccentric bracing system. The accurate results presented here serve as benchmark data for comparison with results obtained using modern experimental testing and alternative theoretical approaches.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.667-685
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• 2018

In eccentrically braced steel frames (EBFs), the links are fuse members which enter inelastic phase before other structure members and dissipate the seismic energy. Based on the force-based seismic design method, damages and plastic deformations are limited to the links, and the main structure members are required tremendous sizes to ensure elastic with limited or no damage. Force-based seismic design method is very common and is found in most design codes, it is unable to determine the inelastic response of the structure and the damages of the members. Nowadays, methods of seismic design are emphasizing more on performance-based seismic design concept to have a more realistic assessment of the inelastic response of the structure. Links use ordinary steel Q345 (the nominal yielding strength $f_y{\geq}345MPa$) while other members use high strength steel (Q460 $f_y{\geq}460MPa$ or Q690 $f_y{\geq}690MPa$) in eccentrically braced frames with high strength steel combination (HSS-EBFs). The application of high strength steels brings out many advantages, including higher safety ensured by higher strength in elastic state, better economy which results from the smaller member size and structural weight as well as the corresponding welding work, and most importantly, the application of high strength steel in seismic fortification zone, which is helpful to popularize the extensive use of high strength steel. In order to comparison seismic behavior between HSS-EBFs and ordinary EBFs, on the basis of experimental study, four structures with 5, 10, 15 and 20 stories were designed by PBSD method for HSS-EBFs and ordinary EBFs. Nonlinear static and dynamic analysis is applied to all designs. The loading capacity, lateral stiffness, ductility and story drifts and failure mode under rare earthquake of the designs are compared. Analyses results indicated that HSS-EBFs have similar loading capacity with ordinary EBFs while the lateral stiffness and ductility of HSS-EBFs is lower than that of EBFs. HSS-EBFs and ordinary EBFs designed by PBSD method have the similar failure mode and story drift distribution under rare earthquake, the steel weight of HSS-EBFs is 10%-15% lower than ordinary EBFs resulting in good economic efficiency.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.715-732
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• 2020

High-strength steel composite Y-eccentrically braced frame (Y-HSS-EBF) is a novel structural system. In this study, the spatial substructure hybrid simulation test (SHST) method is used to further study the seismic performance of Y-HSS-EBF. Firstly, based on the cyclic loading tests of two single-story single-span Y-HSS-EBF planar specimens, a finite element model in OpenSees was verified to provide a reference for the numerical substructure analysis model for the later SHST. Then, the SHST was carried out on the OpenFresco test platform. A three-story spatial Y-HSS-EBF model was taken as the prototype, the top story was taken as the experimental substructure, and the remaining two stories were taken as the numerical substructure to be simulated in OpenSees. According to the test results, the validity of the SHST was verified, and the main seismic performance indexes of the SHST model were analyzed. The results show that, the SHST based on the OpenFresco platform has good stability and accuracy, and the results of the SHST agree well with the global numerical model of the structure. Under strong seismic action, the plastic deformation of Y-HSS-EBF mainly occurs in the shear link, and the beam, beam-columns and braces can basically remain in the elastic state, which is conducive to post-earthquake repair.

• 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.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.299-322
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• 2013

In the case of seismic-resistant composite dual moment resisting and eccentrically braced frames, the current design practice is to avoid the disposition of shear connectors in the expected plastic zones, and consequently to consider a symmetric moment or shear plastic hinges, which occur only in the steel beam or link. Even without connectors, the real behaviour of the hinge may be different from the symmetric assumption, since the reinforced concrete slab is connected to the steel element close to the hinge locations, and also due to contact friction between the concrete slab and the steel element. The paper presents the results and conclusions of experimental tests on composite portal eccentrically braced frames and beam-to-column moment-resisting joints, carried out within the CEMSIG Research Centre of the Politehnica University of Timisoara, in order to check the validity of the assumption stated above. Reference steel and composite specimens with and without connectors in the plastic zones have been tested under monotonic and cyclic seismic type loading.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.1191-1214
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• 2015

The Theory of Plastic Mechanism Control (TPMC) has been recently extended to the case of Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBFs) with inverted Y-scheme, i.e., EBFs with vertical links. In this paper a further validation of the design procedure, based on TPMC, is provided by means of Incremental Dynamic Analyses (IDA) pointing out the fulfilment of the design goal, i.e., the development of a pattern of yielding consistent with the collapse mechanism of global type where all the links are yielded and all the beams are yielded at their ends while all the columns and the diagonal braces remain in elastic range with the only exception of the base sections of first storey columns. In particular, a study case is designed according to both TPMC and Eurocode 8 provisions and the corresponding seismic performances are investigated by both push-over and IDA analyses. The results show the different performances obtained in terms of pattern of yielding, maximum interstorey drift, link plastic rotation demand and sharing of the seismic base shear between the moment-resisting part and the bracing part of the structural system. The seismic performance improvement obtained by means of TPMC, compared to Eurocode 8 provisions, is pointed out.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.261-269
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• 2003

The length of the links in an eccentrically braced frame will dictate the behavior of the frame. Link length controls the yielding mechanism and the ultimate failure mode. For short links, the links' shear forces reach the plastic shear capacity before the end moments reach the plastic moment capacity, and the links yields in the shear, forming a shear hinges. These links are termed "shear links." For long links, the end moments reach the plastic moment capacity before the links' shear forces reach the plastic shear capacity, forming moment hinges. These links are termed moment links." In long links, flexural yielding dominates the response, and very high bending strains are required at the link ends to produce large link deformations. In a shear links, the shear force is constant along the length of the links, and the inelastic shear strain are is uniformly distributed over the length of the links. This permits the development of large inelastic link deformations without the development of excessively high local strains. However, The use of eccentrically braced steel frames for the purpose of architectural cionsiderations such as openings and doors, areis dictating the use of longer links, though. Little data areis available on the behavior of long links under cyclic loading conditions. In This paper documents the results of an experimental program is that was conducted to assess the response of moment links in eccentrically braced frames. Sixteen specimens awere tested using a cyclic load.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-52
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• 2017

To quantitatively assess the safety against seismic collapse of eccentrically braced steel frame (EBSF) system, 24 typical EBSFs with K-shape and V-shape braces with seismic precautionary intensities 8 and 9 were designed complying with China seismic design code and relative codes to constitute archetype space of this structure system. In the archetype space, the collapse probability of the structural system under maximum considered earthquakes (MCE) was researched. The results show that the structures possess necessary safety against seismic collapse when they respectively encounter the maximum considered earthquakes corresponding to their seismic precautionary levels, and their collapse probabilities increase with increasing seismic precautionary intensities. Moreover, the EBSFs with V-shape braces have smaller collapse probability, thus greater capacity against seismic collapse than those with K-shape braces.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.88 no.5
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• pp.463-480
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• 2023

The buckling-restrained braced frames with eccentric configurations (BRBF-Es) exhibit stable cyclic behavior and possess a high energy absorption capacity. Additionally, they offer architectural advantages for incorporating openings, much like Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBFs). However, studies have indicated that significant residual drifts occur in this system when subjected to earthquakes at the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) hazard level. Consequently, in order to mitigate these residual drifts, it is recommended to employ self-centering systems alongside the BRBF-E system. In our current research, we propose the utilization of the Direct Displacement-Based Seismic Design method to determine the design base shear for a hybrid system that combines BRBF with an eccentric configuration and a self-centering frame. Furthermore, we present a methodology for designing the individual components of this composite system. To assess the effectiveness of this design approach, we designed 3-, 6-, and 9-story buildings equipped with the BRBF-E-SCF system and developed finite element models. These models were subjected to two sets of ground motions representing the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) and Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) seismic hazard levels. The results of our study reveal that although the combined system requires a higher amount of steel material compared to the BRBF-E system, it substantially reduces residual drift. Furthermore, the combined system demonstrates satisfactory performance in terms of story drift and ductility demand.