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.

Shaking table test and numerical analysis of a 1:12 scale model of a special concentrically braced steel frame with pinned connections

This paper describes shaking table tests of a 1：12 scale model of a special concentrically braced steel frame with pinned connections, which was fabricated according to a one-bay braced frame selected from a typical main factory building of a large thermal power plant. In order to investigate the seismic performance of this type of structure, several ground motion accelerations with different levels for seismic intensity Ⅷ, based on the Chinese Code for Seismic Design of Buildings, were selected to excite the model. The results show that the design methods of the members and the connections are adequate and that the structural system will perform well in regions of high seismicity. In addition to the tests, numerical simulations were also conducted and the results showed good agreement with the test results. Thus, the numerical model is shown to be accurate and the beam element can be used to model this structural system.

Experimental study on the seismic response of braced reinforced concrete frame with irregular columns

A 15-storey K-braced reinforced concrete model frame with irregular columns, i.e., T-shaped, L-shaped, as well as ＋-shaped columns, was constructed and tested on the six-degree-of-freedom shaking table at the State Key Laboratory for Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering in Tongji, China. Two types of earthquake records, El-Centro wave （south-north direction） and Shanghai artificial wave （SHAW） with various peak accelerations and principal-secondary sequences, were input and experimentally studied. Based on the shaking table tests and theoretical analysis, several observations can be made. The failure sequence of the model structure is brace→beam→column→joints, so that the design philosophy for several lines of defense has been achieved. Earthquake waves with different spectrums not only influence the magnitude and distribution of the earthquake force and the storey shear force, but also obviously affect the magnitude of the displacement response. The aftershock seismic response of previously damaged reinforced concrete braced frames with irregular columns possesses the equivalent elastic performance characteristic. Generally speaking, from the aspects of failure features and drift ratio, this type of reinforced concrete structure provides adequate earthquake resistance and can be promoted for use in China.

Peak displacement patterns for the performance-based seismic design of steel eccentrically braced frames

Performance-based seismic design(PBSD) aims to assess structures at different damage states. Since damage can be directly associated to displacements, seismic design with consideration of displacement seems to be logical. In this study, simple formulae to estimate the peak floor displacement patterns of eccentrically braced frames(EBFs) at different performance levels subjected to earthquake ground motions are proposed. These formulae are applicable in a PBSD and especially in direct displacement-based design(DDBD). Parametric study is conducted on a group of 30 EBFs under a set of 15 far field and near field accelerograms which they scaled to different amplitudes to adapt various performance levels. The results of thousands of nonlinear dynamic analyses of EBFs have been post-processed by nonlinear regression analysis in order to recognize the major parameters that influence the peak displacement pattern of these frames. Results show that suggested displacement patterns have relatively good agreement with those acquired by an exact nonlinear dynamic analysis.

Optimization of design parameters for controlled rocking steel braced dual-frames

A controlled rocking concentrically steel braced frame(CR-CSBF)is introduced as an alternative to conventional methods to prevent major structural damage during large earthquakes.It is equipped with elastic post-tensioned(PT)cables and replaceable devices or fuses to provide overturning resistance and dissipate energy,respectively.Although CR-CSBFs are not officially legalized in globally valid codes for new buildings,it is expected to be presented in them in the near future.The main goal of this study is to determine the optimal design parameters consist of the yield strength and modulus of elasticity of the fuse,the initial force of the PT cable,and the gravity load on the rocking column,considering different heights of the frame,spanning ratios and ground motion types for dual-configuration CR-CSBF.Nonlinear time-history analyses are performed in OpenSees.This study aims to define the optimal input variables as effective design parameters of CR-CSBFs by comparing four seismic responses consisting of story drift,roof displacement,roof acceleration and base shear,and also using the Euclidean metric optimization method.Despite the previous research,this study is innovative and first of its kind.The results demonstrate that the optimal design parameters are variable for various conditions.

Behavior of ductile steel X-braced RC frames in seismic zones

A satisfactory ductile performance of moment-resisting reinforced concrete concentric braced frame structures (RC-MRCBFs) is not warranted by only following the provisions proposed in Mexico’s Federal District Code (MFDC-04). The nonlinear behavior of low to medium rise ductile RC-MRCBFs using steel X-bracing susceptible to buckling is evaluated in this study. The height of the studied structures ranges from 4 to 20 stories and they were located for design in the lakebed zone of Mexico City. The design of RC-MRCBFs was carried out considering variable contribution of the two main lines of defense of the dual system (RC columns and steel braces). In order to observe the principal elements responsible for dissipating the earthquake input energy, yielding mappings for diff erent load-steps were obtained using both nonlinear static and dynamic analyses. Some design parameters currently proposed in MFDC-04 as global ductility capacities, overstrength reduction factors and story drifts corresponding to diff erent limit states were assessed as a function of both the considered shear strength and slenderness ratios for the studied RC-MRCBFs using pushover analyses. Additionally, envelopes of response maxima of dynamic parameters were obtained from the story and global hysteresis curves. Finally, a brief discussion regarding residual drifts, residual drift ratios, mappings of residual deformations in steel braces and residual rotations in RC beams and columns is presented. From the analysis of the obtained results, it is concluded that when a suitable design criterion is considered, good structural behavior of RC-MRCBFs with steel-X bracing can be obtained. It is also observed that the shear strength balance has an impact in the height-wise distribution of residual drifts, and an important “shake-down” eff ect is obtained for all cases. There is a need to improve design parameters currently proposed in MFDC to promote an adequate seismic performance of RC-MRCBFs.

Nonlinear Seismic Response of Steel Concentrically Braced Frames Using Endurance Time Analysis Method

In present paper application of Endurance Time Analysis （ETA） method in nonlinear seismic assessment of steel concentrically braced frames is studied. In this method structure is subjected to a set of predesigned increasing acceleration functions and various responses of the structure are recorded during synthetic seismic excitation. The averages of maximum values for various responses in Nonlinear Time-History Analyses （NTHA） extracted from real ground motions are expected to be close to those obtained from ETA up to equivalent target time. For this purpose a set of 9, 11, 13 and 15 stories steel frames were designed and plastic hinge method was selected as source of nonlinearity in all cases. Responses were compared based on interstory drift ratio and story shear in two methods and results show satisfactory consistency between two methods. Finally, it was concluded that the ETA method can be used as alternative method in nonlinear seismic analysis of concentrically braced steel frames.

Seismic response of high-rise steel framed buildings with Chevron-braced designed according to Venezuelan codes

The object of this study is to determine the seismic response of regular high-rise steel buildings with chevron-braced frames. Mechanics models of three buildings of 14, 18 and 20 stories are studied, all of them with similar geometric characteristics in plant and elevation. These models are realized using prescriptions and parameters from venezuelan design codes. The seismic action is carry on through varius synthetic design spectrum compatible accelerograms defined by the seismic codes in this study, with three levels of intensity corresponding to three specific Limit States. Dynamic analysis is used to compute parameters of ductility, over strength and maximum displacements. From these results it can be concluded that chevron-braced frames presented a good overall performance and non V-braced frames show greater damage due to dynamic actions, validating non linear dynamic analysis as a very powerful tool to seismic-resistance design and chevron-braced frames as a very useful choice in improving the response of tall steel structures. since this lateral bracing system is absent from Venezuelan seismic codes.

Seismic retrofitting of reinforced concrete frame structures using GFRP-tube-confined-concrete composite braces

This paper presents a new type of structural bracing intended for seismic retrofitting use in framed structures. This special composite brace, termed glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer （GFRP）-tube-confined-concrete composite brace, is comprised of concrete confined by a GFRP tube and an inner steel core for energy dissipation. Together with a contribution from the GFRP-tube confined concrete, the composite brace shows a substantially increased stiffness to control story drift, which is often a preferred feature in seismic retrofitting. An analysis model is established and implemented in a general finite element analysis program - OpenSees, for simulating the load-displacement behavior of the composite brace. Using this model, a parametric study of the hysteretic behavior （energy dissipation, stiffness, ductility and strength） of the composite brace was conducted under static cyclic loading and it was found that the area ratio of steel core to concrete has the greatest influence among all the parameters considered. To demonstrate the application of the composite brace in seismic retrofitting, a three-story nonductile reinforced concrete （RC） frame structure was retrofitted with the composite braces. Pushover analysis and nonlinear time-history analyses of the retrofitted RC frame structure was performed by employing a suite of 20 strong ground motion earthquake records. The analysis results show that the composite braces can effectively reduce the peak seismic responses of the RC frame structure without significantly increasing the base shear demand.

Parametric Study on Cable-Stayed and Knee-Braced Steel Portal Frames

To improve wind resistance capacity of cable-braced steel portal frames,a double-braced portal frame was proposed by adding two pre-stressed knee braces to a cable-braced portal frame. To study the reasonable range of application and method of cable parameter determination for this novel structure,the influences of load condition, span, base constraint, and cable parameters on structural performance were investigated by using the finite element code SAP2000. The results show that pre-stressed knee braces can effectively resist both uplifted and lateral wind loads,so this cablestayed and knee-braced steel portal frame is suitable for large wind.When the vertical load is comparable with the wind load,this novel type of portal frames is suitable for a medium span( 21-48 m). The cables in the cable brace can be determined by structural vertical stiffness,and the cables in the knee brace can be designed as the same as those in the cable-stayed part for the reason that their cross sectional area has only a weak effect on the structure. If no cable fails,the pretension variation of the cable does not affect the stiffness of the portal frame. The cable in the cable brace,working together with the cables in the knee braces,can ease uneven distribution of internal force,and their pretensions can be determined according to actual engineering projects.

Elastoplastic analysis of knee bracing frame

The knee bracing steel frame (KBF) is a new kind of energy dissipating frame, which combines excellent ductility and lateral stiffness. As the structural fuse of the frame, the knee element will yield first during a severe earthquake so that no damage occurs to the major structural members and the rehabilitation is easy and economical. To help fully understand the relations be- tween its seismic performance and the structural parameters, systematic elastoplastic analysis of the KBF structure with finite element method was conducted in this work. Finally, general design recommendations were made according to the results of the analysis.

Comparative study on wheel-rail dynamic interactions of side-frame cross-bracing bogie and sub-frame radial bogie

Improving freight axle load is the most effective method to improve railway freight capability; based on the imported technologies of railway freight bogie, the 27 t axle load side-frame cross-bracing bogie and sub-frame radial bogie are developed in China. In order to analyze and compare dynamic interactions of the two newly developed heavy-haul freight bogies, we establish a vehi- cle-track coupling dynamic model and use numerical calculation methods for computer simulation. The dynamic performances of the two bogies are simulated separately at various conditions. The results show that at the dipped joint and straight line running conditions, the wheel-rail dynamic interactions of both bogies are basically the same, but at the curve negotiation condition, the wear and the lateral force of the side-frame cross-bracing bogie are much higher than that of the sub-frame radial bogie, and the advantages become more obvious when the curve radius is smaller. The results also indicate that the sub- frame radial bogie has better low-wheel-rail interaction characteristics.

Shaking table experimental study of recycled concrete frame-shear wall structures

In this study, four 1/5 scaled shaking table tests were conducted to investigate the seismic performance of recycled concrete frame-shear wall structures with different recycled aggregates replacement rates and concealed bracing detail. The four tested structures included one normal concrete model, one recycled coarse aggregate concrete model, and two recycled coarse and fi ne aggregate concrete models with or without concealed bracings inside the shear walls. The dynamic characteristics, dynamic response and failure mode of each model were compared and analyzed. Finite element models were also developed and nonlinear time-history response analysis was conducted. The test and analysis results show that the seismic performance of the recycled coarse aggregate concrete frame-shear wall structure is slightly worse than the normal concrete structure. The seismic resistance capacity of the recycled concrete frame-shear wall structure can be greatly improved by setting up concealed bracings inside the walls. With appropriate design, the recycled coarse aggregate concrete frame-shear wall structure and recycled concrete structure with concealed bracings inside the walls can be applied in buildings.

钢支撑-钢筋混凝土掉层框架结构抗震性能试验研究

为改善坡地钢筋混凝土(RC)掉层框架结构抗侧刚度分布的不均匀性,设计了一栋在上接地层设置钢支撑的RC掉层框架结构,按1/4比例提取其顺坡向中榀框架下部5层子结构为试验对象,开展钢支撑-RC掉层框架拟静力试验,观测试件的破坏过程,并对比RC掉层框架试验所得试件的破坏形态,分析试件滞回性能、延性和刚度退化等抗震性能指标。结果表明:试件的最终破坏是以第4层柱底混凝土压溃,梁端混凝土剥落、底部钢筋断裂,顶层柱顶混凝土剥落为标志。与RC掉层框架试验结果相比,钢支撑-RC掉层框架试件上接地柱的破坏明显减轻,柱端破坏分布也更为均匀,避免了掉层框架结构“半层破坏模式”的出现,改善了结构的耗能和抗地震倒塌能力。但试件上接地层相邻上一层的变形和破坏程度较大,应对该楼层的柱端进行适当的抗震加强;设置钢支撑后,试件的滞回曲线较为饱满,并具有良好的延性(正、负向加载的位移延性系数分别可达5.13、5.69),正负向加载的刚度退化曲线也趋于对称。

Effectiveness of two conventional methods for seismic retrofit of steel and RC moment resisting frames based on damage control criteria

This study investigates the efficiency of two types of rehabilitation methods based on economic justification that can lead to logical decision making between the retrofitting schemes. Among various rehabilitation methods, concentric chevron bracing（CCB） and cylindrical friction damper（CFD） were selected. The performance assessment procedure of the frames is divided into two distinct phases. First, the limit state probabilities of the structures before and after rehabilitation are investigated. In the second phase, the seismic risk of structures in terms of life safety and financial losses（decision variables） using the recently published FEMA P58 methodology is evaluated. The results show that the proposed retrofitting methods improve the serviceability and life safety performance levels of steel and RC structures at different rates when subjected to earthquake loads. Moreover, these procedures reveal that financial losses are greatly decreased, and were more tangible by the application of CFD rather than using CCB. Although using both retrofitting methods reduced damage state probabilities, incorporation of a site-specific seismic hazard curve to evaluate mean annual occurrence frequency at the collapse prevention limit state caused unexpected results to be obtained. Contrary to CFD, the collapse probability of the structures retrofitted with CCB increased when compared with the primary structures.

某高层钢框架结构组合减震设计

某转化医学中心位于高烈度设防地区、地震重点监视防御区,从减震效果和经济性等方面对不同减震方案进行比选后,选用BRB+VFD组合减震方案,同时提出了阻尼器布置原则。采用有限元法进行弹性和弹塑性时程分析,结果表明BRB+VFD组合减震方案可为主体结构提供一定的附加刚度和附加阻尼比,降低地震作用下基底剪力,延缓主体结构破坏,满足主体结构第二道防线设计要求;VFD在多遇地震、设防地震、罕遇地震作用下均发挥耗能作用;BRB在多遇地震作用下仅提供刚度,在设防地震和罕遇地震作用下进入屈服耗能,提高了结构抗震性能;随着地震烈度的增加,结构附加阻尼比随之增大,有效保证了结构抗震性能。

钢框架-偏心支撑结构消能梁暗置侧向支撑设计

在钢框架-偏心支撑结构中,针对钢结构住宅等建筑中不能接受常规消能梁侧向支撑的情况,设计了一种在消能梁段端部的楼板内设置型钢连接件及暗梁组成的暗置侧向支撑。有限元模拟分析表明,在规范规定的消能梁段下翼缘侧向水平荷载的作用下,该消能梁暗置侧向支撑能显著减小消能梁的扭转变形和侧向弯曲变形;在考虑消能梁上局部楼板失效的情况下,暗置侧向支撑也能提供消能梁合适的扭转约束刚度。通过某工程的原位静荷载试验,验证了该暗置支撑对消能梁发挥的预期侧向支撑作用。

带竖向连杆的偏心支撑钢框架结构抗震性能评估

带竖向连杆的偏心支撑钢框架结构通过在耗能梁两端增设竖向连杆,以改善传统偏心支撑钢框架结构中耗能梁非弹性变形不均匀的问题。本文分别根据考虑高阶振型影响的设计方法和原有设计方法,设计了带竖向连杆的偏心支撑钢框架算例,并增加传统K形偏心支撑钢框架结构对比算例,通过增量动力分析和易损性分析,从结构的破坏状态概率、易损性指数和抗倒塌储备系数三个方面对比结构的抗震性能。结果表明,3种结构均可满足我国抗震规范中“小震不坏”“中震可修”和“大震不倒”的抗震设计要求。由于竖向连杆的变形调节作用,带竖向连杆的偏心支撑钢框架结构出现软弱层的概率更低,其发生较重程度损伤的概率也更低,具有更好的抗倒塌性能。在地震动强度较大时,考虑高阶振型影响的设计方法设计的带竖向连杆的偏心支撑钢框架结构整体参与耗能,各层耗能梁塑性发展更加均匀,抗震性能更好。

防屈曲支撑框架抗震性能影响因素的模拟分析

本文旨在研究防屈曲支撑(BRB)平面布置方式和抗侧刚度比两种综合因素对防屈曲支撑钢筋混凝土框架(BRBF)的抗震性能影响,以及框架中BRB的合理布置方案。通过采用OpenSees软件建立了4、8和12层的BRBF空间模型,并进行双向地震作用下的结构弹塑性时程分析,对比分析3种BRB布置方式与5种抗侧刚度比的组合工况下结构抗震性能,基于分析结果综合判定BRB最优布置方案。结果表明:在外框架、内框架和全框架的3种支撑布置方式中地震损伤程度的控制效果分别可达30%、40%和60%,且效果随抗侧刚度比的增加而递增;BRB的设置显著增加了底柱的最大轴力,其中全框架布置方式在3种支撑方式中表现出最优的降低结构竖向反应的效果。BRB最优布置方案组合为内框架布置与刚度比1.0和全框架布置与刚度比2.5。研究成果可为每层采用相同BRB布置方式的规则钢筋混凝土框架结构的加固设计提供参考。

防屈曲耗能支撑与框架节点的连接设计

防屈曲耗能支撑作为一种新型的消能减震元件,已被广泛、成功地应用于既有框架结构的抗震加固中。为使结构在地震作用下表现出良好的抗震效果,需保证防屈曲钢支撑与框架具备优良的协同工作性能,因此支撑与框架之间的连接性能尤为重要。防屈曲钢支撑与框架节点之间的连接方法有焊缝连接、螺栓连接以及销轴连接。通过对节点板-框架连接处和节点板-支撑连接处进行受力分析,破坏形态分析,完善了加支撑框架节点处的计算公式。