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.

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.

Steel rings as seismic fuses for enhancing ductility of cross braced frames

A new remedy is proposed in this study to increase the ductility of cross-braced frames to a level comparable with ductile moment frames.The suggested system consists of one or two concentric steel rings installed in the cross-braced bay vertically.The steel rings are designed such that they fail in bending sooner than failure of the braces in compression.Then the rings act as seismic fuses with multiple bending plastic hinges.Using nonlinear static analysis,it is shown that the proposed system can be designed to behave like cross-braced frames with regard to stiffness and strength,and like special moment frames with regard to ductility.Seismic design factors for the proposed system are recommended based on nonlinear pushover and cyclic analysis studies.

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.

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.

Seismic performance and resilience of composite damping self-centering braced frame structures

A magnetorheological self-centering brace(MR–SCB)has been proposed to improve the energy dissipation capability of the brace.In this paper,a 15-story MR–SCB braced frame is numerically analyzed to examine its seismic performance and resilience.The MR–SCB provides higher lateral stiffness than the buckling restrained brace and greater energy dissipation capability than the existing self-centering brace.The brace also exhibits a reliable recentering capacity.Under rare earthquakes,the maximum average residual deformation ratio of the structure is less than the 0.5%limit.Under mega earthquakes,the maximum average interstory drift ratio of the structure does not exceed the 2.0%elastoplastic limit,and its maximum average floor acceleration ratio is 1.57.The effects of mainshock and aftershock on the structural behavior are also investigated.The interstory drift and residual deformation of the structure increase with the increase of the intensity of the aftershock.Under aftershocks with the same intensity as the mainshocks,the maximum increment of the residual deformation ratio of the structure is 81.8%,and the average interstory drift ratios of the 12^(th),7^(th),and 3^(rd)stories of the structure are increased by 13.4%,9.2%and 7.5%,respectively.The strong aftershock may significantly cause increased damage to the structure,and increase its collapse risk and residual deformation.

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.

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。

四川大学博物馆结构设计重难点分析研究

四川大学博物馆采用钢框架结构体系,并设置屈曲约束支撑改善结构的抗震性能。介绍了四川大学博物馆的结构设计参数及抗震性能目标。针对结构设计中的重难点,开展了屈曲约束支撑的工作机理分析、框架柱计算长度与穿层柱分析、东侧大悬挑空间的相关分析。利用反应谱分析及时程分析探究了屈曲约束支撑工作机理,分析结果表明,屈曲约束支撑能够有效改善钢结构产生塑性铰的状况,起到保护主体钢框架的作用。针对东侧大悬挑空间的功能要求,设计采用了屋顶桁架结合钢拉杆吊挂东侧大楼梯的结构形式,通过结构防连续倒塌分析、楼板应力分析、楼盖舒适度分析、关键节点有限元分析等确保该部位结构设计安全合理。对整体结构受力机理和薄弱部位进行了研究,提出了重点部位的设计原则和加强措施。

基于多水准的高强钢框架-D形偏心支撑结构层剪力分布研究

高强钢框架GD形偏心支撑结构中耗能梁段采用Q355钢,非耗能构件(即框架梁和柱)采用高强度钢材,形成一种新型结构体系.耗能梁段在结构遭遇罕遇地震时充分发挥塑性变形耗能,保护高强钢框架处于弹性受力状态,高强钢框架GD形偏心支撑结构由于在塑性状态下结构刚度发生改变,其层剪力分布模式不再符合基于强度的设计理论,因此,本文研究了高强钢框架GD形偏心支撑结构在多水准地震动状态下的层剪力分布模式.本文设计了四种不同层数(4层,8层,12层和16层)和三种不同耗能梁段长度(900mm,1000mm和1100mm)的高强钢框架GD形偏心支撑结构,输入40条近场脉冲地震和40条远场地震记录,得到结构在多遇地震、设防地震、罕遇地震以及极罕遇地震下的层剪力分布模式,并对罕遇地震下的层剪力分布模式进行参数标定,获取塑性状态下结构的弹塑性侧向力分布状态.

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。

自复位支撑钢框架抗震性能评估与损伤演化分析

为研究自复位耗能(SCED)支撑失效前后支撑钢框架结构的抗震韧性及损伤演化规律,设计了一单榀三层自复位支撑钢框架(SCBSF)并对其进行精细化有限元模拟,探究了支撑第二刚度和摩擦力在考虑支撑失效时对结构宏观响应和关键构件损伤状态的影响规律。结果表明,在地震作用下,SCED支撑作为SCBSF第一道抗震防线,激活工作后为结构提供了稳定的耗能与卓越的复位能力,相比屈曲约束支撑(BRB)框架残余变形角最大减小了84.9%,显著降低结构震后修复成本;支撑达到最大行程破坏失效后,结构层间变形加剧,框架梁和柱塑性耗能占比增加了92.33%,主体结构损伤值增加了48.45%,结构的抗震性能与韧性水平明显降低。参数分析结果表明,提升支撑的第二刚度和摩擦力能有效降低结构响应,但具有较大第二刚度和摩擦力的支撑框架仍抵抗不了强震作用时,可能导致更多的支撑失效破坏,结构损伤加剧。因此,设计SCED支撑时,需要适当提高支撑第二刚度和摩擦力,建议第二刚度取值为第一刚度的7/50~4/25,支撑摩擦力与预压力比值取为1~1.2;提升支撑第二刚度相比提升摩擦力对结构损伤值控制效果更好,随着地震动强度增大,摩擦力与第二刚度对结构抗震性能的影响逐渐减小。

型钢组合加固震损RC框架抗震性能试验研究

震损RC框架需在震后得到快速修复,考虑采用加强局部构造及提高整体结构抗震能力的方法,以恢复甚至提高震损框架的抗震能力。结合框架在地震作用下的受力特性及破坏模式,先对柱采取外包角钢与缀条的局部加固,后对整体框架分别采取薄壁钢板剪力墙、斜支撑、V形屈曲约束支撑方式进行加固,并对加固后试件进行低周往复加载试验。结果表明:组合加固后试件抗震性能改善明显,将原框架的“强梁弱柱”转为符合抗震要求的“强节点弱构件,强柱弱梁”破坏。破坏时支撑及薄壁钢板先破坏,能有效避免主体框架过早破坏。试件加固后承载能力、初始刚度、延性及累积耗能均比未加固试件提高显著,且承载力及刚度退化均较缓慢,最后破坏为累积损伤所致。采用V形屈曲约束支撑加固的试件由于其具有多重耗能能力,其抗震性能及延性均好于其他两种组合加固方式的试件,综合考虑试件加固后的抗震性能及破坏模式,建议选用此种方法加固。

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。