Experimental and numerical study of buckling-restrained braces configured with out-of-plane eccentricity under cyclic loading

This study focuses on variations in the hysteretic behavior of buckling-restrained braces(BRBs)configured with or without out-of-plane eccentricity under cyclic loading.Quasi-static experiments and numerical simulations were carried out on concentrically and eccentrically loaded BRB specimens to investigate the mechanical properties,energy dissipation performance,stress distribution,and high-order deformation pattern.The experimental and numerical results showed that compared to the concentrically loaded BRBs,the stiffness,yield force,cumulated plastic ductility(CPD)coefficient,equivalent viscous damping coefficient and energy dissipation decreased,and the yield displacement and compression strength adjustment factor increased for the eccentrically loaded BRBs.With the existence of the out-of-plane eccentricity,the initial yield position changes from the yield segment to the junction between the yield segment and transition segment under a tensile load,while the initial high-order buckling pattern changes from a first-order C-shape to a secondorder S-shape under a compressive load.

Development and subassemblage cyclic testing of hybrid buckling-restrained steel braces

Buckling-restrained braced frames(BRBFs) are vulnerable to relatively higher post-earthquake residual drifts under high intensity ground shakings. This is primarily due to the low axial elastic and post-elastic stiffness of bucklingrestrained braces(BRBs) satisfying the design force demand requirements. In the present study, a hybrid buckling restrained bracing system consisting of a short yielding core length BRB component and a conventional buckling-type brace component connected in series has been developed with an aim to increase the axial stiffness of braces. This study is focused on the experimental investigation of six hybrid bucking restrained braces(HBRBs) to investigate their overall behavior, loadresisting capacity, strength-adjustment factors and energy dissipation potential. The main parameters varied are the crosssectional area, the yielding length of core elements as well as the detailing of buckling-restraining system of short yielding core length BRBs. Test results showed that the HBRBs with yielding core length in the range of 30% of work-point to workpoint lengths withstood an axial strain of 6% without any instability and can deliver stable and balanced hysteretic response and excellent energy dissipation under reversed cyclic loading conditions.

Application of buckling-restrained braces in the seismic control of suspension bridges

Buckling-restrained braces(BRBs)are widely used to improve the seismic performance of buildings.This paper aims to introduce BRBs to suspension bridges and assess the seismic performance of bridges with BRBs.Taking the Dadu River Bridge as a case study,an FEA model of the bridge is established,and different seismic measures(BRBs between the deck and the tower,BRBs at the middle of the span to replace the inclined suspenders to connect the deck and the main cables,fluid viscous dampers(FVDs)between the deck and the tower,the combination of BRBs to replace the inclined suspenders as well as FVDs between the deck and the tower)are applied to the suspension bridge.The influence of the parameters of BRBs on the seismic response of the suspension bridge is studied,and the performance of the bridge with BRBs is compared with that of the bridge with FVDs.The results indicate that the use of BRBs in place of the inclined suspenders is beneficial to reduce the displacement of the deck and limit the shear force and bending moment of the tower.The seismic performance of the suspension bridge with BRBs and FVDs is better than that of the bridge with BRBs or FVDs.Therefore,the application of BRBs is a feasible method to improve the seismic performance of the suspension bridge.

滑移螺杆连接的BRB-RC框架节点抗震性能试验研究

为减小大震下防屈曲支撑(BRB)钢筋混凝土(RC)框架节点开合效应对子结构抗震性能的不利影响,提出一种滑移螺杆连接方法,通过对预埋螺杆和锚板表面进行无黏结处理,减小节点板对RC子结构梁柱变形的切向约束,从而将BRB轴力以抗拉不抗剪的方式有效传递至RC子结构。对2个滑移节点板连接和1个传统节点板连接的BRB-RC梁柱组合件进行拟静力试验,以验证滑移螺杆连接的有效性。试验结果表明,与传统焊接节点连接相比,滑移螺杆连接性能更加稳定,简化了子结构梁柱的受力状态。当层间位移角为2%时,子结构梁剪力和累积耗能降低幅度分别可达37.6%和29%,有效减轻了子结构损伤。

Ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames under earthquake loading

Accurate estimates of ductility demands on buckling-restrained braced frames(BRBFs)are crucial to performance-based design of BRBFs.An analytical study on the seismic behavior of BRBFs has been conducted at the ATLSS Center,Lehigh University to prepare for an upcoming experimental program.The analysis program DRAIN-2DX was used to model a one-bay,four-story prototype BRBF including material and geometric nonlinearities.The buckling- restrained brace(BRB)model incorporates both isotropic and kinematic hardening.Nonlinear static pushover and time- history analyses were performed on the prototype BRBF.Performance objectives for the BRBs were defined and used to evaluate the time-history analysis results.Particular emphasis was placed on global ductility demands and ductility demands on the BRBs.These demands were compared with anticipated ductility capacities.The analysis results,along with results from similar previous studies,are used to evaluate the BRBF design provisions that have been recommended for codification in the United States.The results show that BRB maximum ductility demands can be as high as 20 to 25.These demands significantly exceed those anticipated by the BRBF recommended provisions.Results from the static pushover and time- history analyses are used to demonstrate why the ductility demands exceed those anticipated by the recommended provisions. The BRB qualification testing protocol contained in the BRBF recommended provisions is shown to be inadequate because it requires only a maximum ductility demand of at most 7.5.Modifications to the testing protocol are recommended.

Assessment of buckling-restrained braced frame reliability using an experimental limit-state model and stochastic dynamic analysis

Buckling-restrained braces （BRBs） have recently become popular in the United States for use as primary members of seismic lateral-force-resisting systems. A BRB is a steel brace that does not buckle in compression but instead yields in both tension and compression. Although design guidelines for BRB applications have been developed, systematic procedures for assessing performance and quantifying reliability are still needed. This paper presents an analytical framework for assessing buckling-restrained braced frame （BRBF） reliability when subjected to seismic loads. This framework efficiently quantifies the risk of BRB failure due to low-cycle fatigue fracture of the BRB core. The procedure includes a series of components that： （1） quantify BRB demand in terms of BRB core deformation histories generated through stochastic dynamic analyses; （2） quantify the limit-state of a BRB in terms of its remaining cumulative plastic ductility capacity based on an experimental database; and （3） evaluate the probability of BRB failure, given the quantified demand and capacity, through structural reliability analyses. Parametric studies were conducted to investigate the effects of the seismic load, and characteristics of the BRB and BRBF on the probability of brace failure. In addition, fragility curves （i.e., conditional probabilities of brace failure given ground shaking intensity parameters） were created by the proposed framework. While the framework presented in this paper is applied to the assessment of BRBFs, the modular nature of the framework components allows for application to other structural components and systems.

Behavior of double K-BRB braces under lateral loading

The buckling resisting brace(BRB)is an efficient system against lateral loads that enjoy high seismic energy absorption capacity.Although desirable behavior of BRBs has been confirmed,the stiffness of the system is not desirable that it can be compensated by changing the configuration of BRB braces.In so doing,the configuration in the form of double K(DK)is investigated to achieve more favorable behavior.Also,the required mathematical formulas were proposed to design the system.Comparison of DK system with other conventional BRB showed that the DK system has a better structural performance and is more economical(due to needing less core area)than other conventional BRB.Numerical results indicated that the DK system increases the lateral ultimate strength,lateral nonlinear stiffness,and energy absorption.Besides,the DK configuration reduces the axial forces created in columns in the nonlinear zone.Reducing material demand,created forces in the main frame,and also increasing of nonlinear stiffens by DK improve the structure’s safety.

Stability Performance of Buckling-Restrained Brace with Brace Joints

The stability and ductility of four buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) with brace joints were studied. The load-carrying element of BRB was fabricated with steel (Chinese Q235), and a layer of colloidal silica sheet (0.5 mm in thickness) or four layers of plastic film (0.2 mm in thickness) were used as unbonding materials to provide space to prevent the buckling of inner core in higher modes and facilitate its lateral expansion in case of compression. Based on the equation of BRBs with brace joints of different restrained stiffnesses, the buckling load is calculated considering the initial geometric imperfections and residual stress, and the theoretical values agree well with the experiment results. It is concluded that the buckling load and ductility of BRBs are influenced greatly by the restrained stiffness of brace joints. If the restrained stiffness is deficient, the unstrained segment of BRBs with less stiffness will buckle firstly. As a result, the ultimate load of BRBs decreases, and the maximum compression load is reduced to about 65% of the maximum tension load; the stiffness also degenerates, and there is a long decreasing stage on the back-bone curve in compression phase; the ductility decreases, i.e., the ultimate tension ductility and ultimate compression ductility are approximately 15 and 1.3 respectively, and the cumulative plastic ductility is only approximately 200. If the restrained stiffness of joint is large enough, the stability will be improved as follows: the yielding strength and ultimate strength of BRBs are nearly the same, and there is an obvious strain intensification in both tension and compression phases; the ductility of brace also increases obviously, i.e., the ultimate tension ductility and ultimate compression ductility are both approximately 14, and the cumulative plastic ductility reaches 782.

Mathematical modeling and full-scale shaking table tests for multi-curve buckling restrained braces

Buckling restrained braces （BRBs） have been widely applied in seismic mitigation since they were introduced in the 1970s. However, traditional BRBs have several disadvantages caused by using a steel tube to envelope the mortar to prevent the core plate from buckling, such as： complex interfaces between the materials used, uncertain precision, and time consumption during the manufacturing processes. In this study, a new device called the multi-curve buckling restrained brace （MC-BRB） is proposed to overcome these disadvantages. The new device consists of a core plate with multiple neck portions assembled to form multiple energy dissipation segments, and the enlarged segment, lateral support elements and constraining elements to prevent the BRB from buckling. The enlarged segment located in the middle of the core plate can be welded to the lateral support and constraining elements to increase buckling resistance and to prevent them from sliding during earthquakes. Component tests and a series of shaking table tests on a full-scale steel structure equipped with MC-BRBs were carried out to investigate the behavior and capability of this new BRB design for seismic mitigation. The experimental results illustrate that the MC-BRB possesses a stable mechanical behavior under cyclic loadings and provides good protection to structures during earthquakes. Also, a mathematical model has been developed to simulate the mechanical characteristics of BRBs.

Seismic performance of a reinforced concrete building retrofitted with self-centering shape memory alloy braces

Self-centering earthquake-resistant structures have received increased attention due to their ability to reduce post-earthquake residual deformations and,thus,repair time and cost.This stimulated the development of recentering shape memory alloy(SMA)dampers that use superelastic nitinol wires to dissipate energy and self-center the structure.However,there are still a few case studies applications on full-scale RC buildings in the literature.Moreover,general guidelines or even simplified approaches for the practical design of SMA damped braces are still lacking.This paper focuses on evaluating the effect of using self-centering shape memory alloy dampers for buckling-restrained braces applied for the seismic retrofit of a complex RC building structure.A design method originally proposed for elastoplastic dampers was implemented to size the SMA dampers to be placed on selected spans and stories of a building.The effectiveness of the design procedure was demonstrated by nonlinear time-history analyses under different sets of earthquake strong ground motions.The analysis results show that the recentering shape memory alloy bracing system is effective in limiting the maximum transient inter-story drifts and reducing the residual inter-story drifts after strong seismic events,due to its excellent recentering behavior together with its not negligible energy dissipation capacity.

考虑海水-海床-斜拉桥相互作用下纵桥向设置BRB的减震作用与优化设计

由于海洋场地存在深厚的海水层,其对海底地震动特性以及海洋结构物的地震反应存在较大影响,在跨海桥梁等海洋结构物抗震分析时不容忽视。因此,研究基于地震波动理论建立海水-海床-斜拉桥耦合的地震波动分析模型,确定海水层对结构地震反应的影响。考虑海洋环境可能对减震构件的耐久性造成威胁,提出一种应用耐久性能优良的防屈曲支撑(Bulking Restrained Brace,BRB)作为纵桥向减震构件的斜拉桥减震体系,并且以青州航道桥为工程背景,通过其与漂浮体系斜拉桥模型的地震反应对比,验证了考虑海洋环境影响下该减震体系的可行性。研究对BRB的布设位置与设备参数等进行优化分析,进一步确定BRB作为斜拉桥纵桥向减震构件的设计方法。研究发现地震作用下海水产生的动水效应会放大斜拉桥上部结构的地震反应。通过对比不同工况下结构的地震反应,发现在桥墩与桥塔位置同时设置BRB时,桥梁整体减震效果最佳。另外,BRB的屈服承载力等参数对斜拉桥的抗震性能亦产生较大影响。

基于遗传算法的钢框架-BRB结构优化

将钢框架—BRB结构优化设计分为小震优化阶段和大震调整阶段。小震优化阶段以造价最低为优化目标,引入拓扑变量来表示BRB的布设位置,将BRB的位置、等效截面面积和框架的截面作为设计变量,在同时满足梁柱构件的强度和稳定性约束、BRB不屈服约束及层间位移约束的前提下,通过遗传算法对钢框架—BRB结构进行整体优化;大震调整阶段对不符合大震层间位移约束的结构采用准则法调整构件截面。进行了较为全面的钢框架—BRB结构优化设计,在满足规范要求的前提下大幅降低结构造价,提高了结构的经济性。

设置BRB桥梁排架墩基于位移抗震设计方法

基于"保险丝"和"损伤控制"的抗震设计理念,提出在桥梁双柱式排架墩中通过设置屈曲约束支撑(BRB)以提高其横桥向抗震性能的构想。首先从获得"抗震能力"的角度对设置BRB桥梁排架墩的抗震设计参数进行系统性分析,推导出与剪跨比和墩柱间距与直径(边长)比相关的BRB核心段最大和最小长度取值范围;再从求解"地震需求"角度建立了设置保险丝的(SDOF)主结构体系弹塑性反应谱基本方程,分析该体系的非线性地震反应一般规律;然后,基于体系的"抗震能力"和"地震需求",发展了设置BRB的桥梁排架墩基于位移的抗震设计方法,并结合一个具体桥梁排架墩实例说明建议设计方法的可行性。

设置BRB的桥梁排架墩抗震性能参数分析

汶川大地震中,桥梁双柱式排架墩遭到了严重的破坏,其抗震问题被广泛关注。作者基于结构"保险丝"的损伤控制理念,在双柱式桥梁排架墩中设置屈曲约束支撑(BRB),以提高横桥向的抗震性能。建立了考虑墩柱弹塑性、梁体与挡块碰撞和支座滑动效应的单个排架墩动力分析模型,通过输入远场地震动、具有向前方向性效应和滑冲效应的近断层地震动进行非线性地震反应时程分析,研究了BRB与排架墩水平刚度比、水平屈服位移比、BRB布置形式和排架墩形式等参数对桥梁排架墩抗震性能的影响。结果表明:设置BRB能有效地减小规则和不规则排架墩的地震损伤,BRB与排架墩水平刚度比和水平屈服位移比的合理取值范围分别为0.5～2.0和0.5～1.5。

BRB在双柱式桥墩抗震体系中的工作机理分析

以设置防屈曲支撑(Buckling-Restrained Braces,BRB)的双柱式桥墩体系为研究对象,系统分析上部结构惯性力在该体系中的传递机理;以某3×30m公路高架桥为工程背景,采用非线性时程反应分析法研究BRB的设置方式及参数取值对桥梁地震反应的影响规律,揭示BRB在双柱式桥墩中的工作机理。其研究结论为:(1)对于设置BRB的双柱式桥墩,当BRB未屈服时,通过其轴向刚度改变结构体系的传力路径,墩底弯矩、剪力降低,但墩底轴力改变量将增大,即以较大的墩身轴力改变量换取较小的墩底弯矩及剪力。(2)在BRB屈服的情况下,BRB通过改变下部结构的传力路径及滞回耗能双重机制影响结构的地震反应,BRB耗能作用将降低墩身的轴力改变量,使减震效果更优。(3)双柱式桥墩横桥向设置BRB是一种较为有效的减震体系,但其减震效果与BRB具体布置方式及力学参数取值有关。

框架-BRB结构考虑弯曲型变形的抗侧刚度及设计参数

由于目前框架-BRB结构设计方法是基于结构层间位移全部由楼层剪切型变形造成,忽视了结构弯曲型变形的影响.为了准确计算防屈曲支撑提供的层间抗侧刚度,在现有层间剪切模型分析方法基础上,讨论结构弯曲型变形对框架-BRB结构影响规律.提出考虑结构弯曲变形下的层间抗侧刚度计算公式,并通过有限元方法验证.提出了抗侧刚度变化系数,考虑结构在弯曲型变形下BRB的相关设计参数的计算,抗侧刚度变化系数可应用在等效线性化设计方法中.

新型Pall-BRB摩擦阻尼支撑体系设计方法

考虑几何非线性采用ANSYS有限元软件对一种新型Pall-BRB摩擦阻尼支撑体系(采用防屈曲支撑(BRB)代替Pall型摩擦阻尼器(PFD)的普通支撑)的滞回特性进行分析.首先进行了Pall型普通支撑体系和Pall-BRB摩擦阻尼支撑体系的滞回性能对比分析,结果表明,防屈曲支撑在拉压循环荷载作用下均能达到屈服,拉压承载力基本一致,耗能能力优于普通支撑.然后分析了防屈曲支撑刚度、Pall型阻尼器起滑摩擦力、阻尼器的大小以及防屈曲支撑与水平方向的倾角等因素对体系滞回特性以及支撑内力的影响.结果表明,Pall-BRB支撑体系比Pall型普通支撑体系有更好的耗能性能,支撑内力变化不大且在阻尼器起滑后保持为常数,有利于抗震设计;防屈曲支撑最大内力与起滑摩擦力关系密切,起滑摩擦力越大,体系耗能能力越强,支撑越能充分发挥作用.最后提出了这种新型Pall-BRB摩擦阻尼支撑体系的设计方法.

BRB对火力发电主厂房钢筋混凝土框架柱抗震性能的影响

对两个七层火力发电厂房按8度二类抗震等级来设计计算,其中一个为钢筋混凝土框排架结构,另一个为在此基础上布置了屈曲约束支撑(BRB)的结构。对这两个结构分别进行了弹塑性时程分析,主要分析对比了两种结构体系的框架柱轴压比,层间位移角和M2、M3与轴方向滞回曲线。分析结果显示,结构经过合理布置BRB后,结构柱轴压比稍微增大,但仍然满足规范轴压比限值与抗震性能要求,BRB滞回饱满,参与耗能显著,柱参与耗能减小,主体结构安全得到保证。发现柱轴方向发生受拉情况,塑性变形容易发生,这都是构件在受集中力与跨度较大时所影响,尤其在X形BRB布置情况下较为显着,BRB在屈服前后对柱有着明显的差异。建议结构在X形BRB布置下,集中力与跨度较大和空旷时柱轴压比取值宜较保守,改善结构体系布置,适当增加柱截面也同时减小BRB截面,K形BRB布置则在屈服前后较一致,对柱轴压比影响不大。根据分析结果得出框架—BRB结构是适用于8度二类场地的建设而纯框架结构则不符合此抗震性能要求。

带BRB的单层椭球形网壳的动力弹塑性分析

对带有约束屈曲支撑的施威德勒椭球形网壳结构进行了全过程动力弹塑性分析,根据结构弹塑性有限元理论,结合网壳结构受力特点,对网壳结构的弹塑性抗震性能进行了探讨.着重考察了在强震作用下约束屈曲支撑对此类型网壳结构的动力性能和破坏形式的影响,结果表明带约束屈曲支撑对网壳的弹塑性性能有较大影响.

设置RB和BRB的钢框架工业厂房无楼板结构单元抗震性能试验研究

为解决大型工业厂房中因功能需要某些交叉支撑框架无楼板结构单元抗震性能不佳的问题,以某电力厂房纵向某3层框架局部为研究单元,设计制作两榀结构试件,其中一榀为设置普通工字型截面钢支撑的试件(F-RB),另一榀为设置防屈曲支撑的试件(F-BRB).分别对其进行静力反复加载抗震试验,对比分析两榀结构的抗震性能,包括水平荷载-框架层间位移滞回曲线、骨架曲线、等效刚度、等效黏滞阻尼比等,研究2种支撑的变形和破坏特点.研究表明,在较大层间位移角及横梁变形失效情况下,F-BRB的抗震明显优于F-RB结构且耗能稳定.无楼板横梁对于发挥结构抗震和消能减震性能不利,建议在横梁设计时要考虑到支撑失效后仍具备传递水平荷载的功能.