• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.173-190
• /
• 2015

This study presents an analytical investigation on the seismic response of a medium-rise buckling-restrained braced frame (BRBF) under the near-fault ground motions. A seven-story BRBF is designed as per the current code provisions for five different combinations of brace configurations and beam-column connections. Two types of brace configurations (i.e., Chevron and Double-X) are considered along with a combination of the moment-resisting and the non-moment-resisting beam-to-column connections for the study frame. Nonlinear dynamic analyses are carried out for all study frames for an ensemble of forty SAC near-fault ground motions. The main parameters evaluated are the interstory and residual drift response, brace displacement ductility, and plastic hinge mechanisms. Fragility curves are developed using log-normal probability density functions for all study frames considering the interstory drift ratio and residual drift ratio as the damage parameters. The average interstory drift response of BRBFs with Double-X brace configurations significantly exceeded the allowable drift limit of 2%. The maximum displacement ductility characteristics of BRBs is efficiently utilized under the seismic loading if these braces are arranged in the Double-X configurations instead of Chevron configurations in BRBFs located in the near-fault regions. However, BRBFs with the Double-X brace configurations exhibit the higher interstory drift and residual drift response under near-fault ground motions due to the formation of plastic hinges in the columns and beams at the intermediate story levels.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.197-207
• /
• 2013

This study is aimed at developing the structural design interface module for the brace connections in order to improve the efficiency of the interoperability between structural design and BIM modeling at the construction design phase of steel structures. For this purpose, structural design module is first established according to the algorithm built by structural design standards of domestic and foreign. Then, it is developed interface module which can export the data of 3D model obtained from the BIM design tools to structural design module and feed structural design results back to 3D BIM model. Finally, the efficiency and practicality of the developed interface module is verified by applying to a sample model.

• Earthquakes and Structures
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.449-455
• /
• 2017

Using X-braced frames in steel structures is a current procedure to achieve good strength against lateral loads. Study on mid-connections of X-braces and their effects on frame behavior is a subject whose importance has been more or less disregarded by researchers. Experimentally inspecting models involves considerable expense and time; however, computer models can be more suitable substitutes. In this research, a numerical model of X-braced frame has been analyzed using finite element software. The results of pushover analysis of this frame are compared with those of the experimental test. With the help of computer model, the effects of different mid-connection details on ductility and lateral strength of the frame are inspected. Also performances of bolted and welded connections are compared. Taking into account ductility and strength, this study suggests details of a decent pattern for the mid-connection.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.417-433
• /
• 2023

The maximum ductility and cumulative ductility of connection joints of Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames (BRBF) are critical to the structural overall performance, which should be matched with the BRB ductility. The two-story and one-span BRBF with a one-third scale was tested under cyclic quasi-static loading, and the top-flange beam splice (TFBS) rotational connections were proposed and adopted in BRBF. The deformation capacity of TFBS connections was observed during the test, and the relationship between structural global ductility and local connection ductility was studied. The rotational capacity of the beam-column connections and the stability performance of the BRBs are highly relevant to the structural overall performance. The hysteretic curves of BRBF are stable and full under large displacement demand imposed up to 2% story drift, and energy is dissipated as the large plastic deformation developed in the structural components. The BRBs acted as fuses and yielded first, and the cumulative plastic ductility (CPD) of BRBs is 972.6 of the second floor and 439.7 of the first floor, indicating the excellent energy dissipation capacity of BRBs. Structural members with good local ductility ensure the large global ductility of BRBF. The ductile capacity and hysteretic behavior of BRBF with TFBS connections were compared with those of BRBF with Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connections in terms of the experimental results.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2013

This research presents that seismic performance of steel moment resisting frame building designed by past provision(UBC, Uniform Building Code) before and after retrofitted with BRB (Buckling-Restrained Brace) was evaluated using response modification factor (R-factor). In addition, the seismic performance of the retrofitted past building was compared with that specified in current provision. The past building considered two different connections: bilinear connection, which was used by structural engineer for building design, and brittle connection observed in past earthquakes. The nonlinear pushover analysis and time history analysis were performed for the analytical models considered in this study. The R-factor was calculated based on the analytical results. When comparing the R-factor of the current provision with the calculated R-factor, the results were different due to the hysteresis characteristics of the connection types. After retrofitted with BRBs, the past buildings with the bilinear connection were satisfied with the seismic performance of the current provision. However, the past buildings with the brittle connection was significantly different with the R-factor of the current provision.

• Steel and Composite Structures
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.309-318
• /
• 2018

Buckling Restrained Braced (BRB) frames have been widely used as an efficient seismic load resisting system in recent years mostly due to their symmetric and stable hysteretic behavior and significant energy dissipation capacity. In this study, to provide a better understanding of the behavior of BRB frames with various beam-column connections, a numerical study using non-linear finite element (FE) analysis is conducted. All models are implemented in the Abaqus software package following an explicit formulation. Initially, the results of the FE model are verified with experimental data. Then, diverse beam-column connections are modeled for the sake of comparison from the shear capacity, energy dissipation and frame hysteresis behavior points of view until appropriate performance is assessed. The considered connections are divided into three different categories: (1) simple beam-column connections including connection by web angle and connection by seat angle; (2) semi-rigid connection including connection by web and seat angles; and (3) rigid beam-column connections by upper-lower beam plates and beam connections with web and flange splices. Results of the non-linear FE analyses show that these types of beam-column connections have little effect on the maximum story drift and shear capacity of BRB frames. However, the connection type has a significant effect on the amount of energy dissipation and hysteresis behavior of BRB frames. Also, changes in length and thickness of the angles in simple and semi-rigid connections and changes in length and thickness of plates in rigid connections have slight effects (less than 4%) on the overall frame behavior.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.207-217
• /
• 2015

A concentrically braced steel frame is a very efficient structural system because it requires relatively smaller amount of materials to resist lateral forces. However, primarily developed as a structural system to resist wind loads based on an assumption that the structure behaves elastically, a concentrically braced frame possibly experiences the deterioration in energy dissipation after brace buckling and the brittle failure of braces and connections when earthquake loads cause inelastic behavior. Consequently, plastic deformation is concentrated in the floor where brace buckling occurs first, which can lead to the rupture of the structure. This study suggests reinforcing H-shaped braces with non-welded cold-formed stiffeners to restrain flexure and buckling and resist tensile force and compressive force equally.

• 한국방재학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2007.02a
• /
• pp.293-296
• /
• 2007

This study investigated the out-of-plane elastic buckling load and effective length factor of X-bracing system. The members of X-bracing system which are studied in this paper are rigidly attached to the structure at their end connections, and are pinned or rigidly connected at their point of intersection. The effective length factors are derived for the general case where the tension and compression brace have different material and geometrical properties.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
• /
• v.12 no.1 s.44
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2000

Recently, many studies on connections in steel structures have been performed. In practice, designers assume that the connection is a rigid- or pinned-one, however, actually the connection behaves as partially restrained one, neither fully restrained nor unrestrained. This paper concentrates on the behavior of double angle connections in the field of semi-rigid connections. The behavior of double angle connection. induced by abrupt axial tension load or by collapsed brace in medium or low rise building, is analyzed by 3D nonlinear finite element method using ABAQUS(ver 5.8). From the analytic results. a simplified model of double angle and a rotational stiffness at the corner of the angle are derived, which are fundamentally used for understanding the behavior of the double angle connection.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2016

The 1100 foot [335 m] tall Wilshire Grand Center tower under construction in Los Angeles illustrates many key outrigger issues. The tower has a long, narrow floor plan and slender central core. Outrigger braces at three groups of levels in the tower help provide for occupant comfort during windy conditions as well as safety during earthquakes. Because outrigger systems are outside the scope of prescriptive code provisions, Performance Based Design (PBD) using Nonlinear Response History Analysis (NRHA) demonstrated acceptability to the Los Angeles building department and its peer review panel. Buckling Restrained Brace (BRB) diagonals are used at all outrigger levels to provide stable cyclic nonlinear behavior and to limit forces generated at columns, connections and core walls. Each diagonal at the lowest set of outriggers includes four individual BRBs to provide exceptional capacities. The middle outriggers have an unusual 'X-braced Vierendeel' configuration to provide clear hotel corridors. The top outriggers are pre-loaded by jacks to address long-term differential shortening between the concrete core and concrete-filled steel perimeter box columns. The outrigger connection details are complex in order to handle large forces and deformations, but were developed with contractor input to enable practical construction.