Evaluation of buckling-restrained braced frame seismic performance considering reserve strength

Buckling-restrained braced frame (BRBF) systems are used extensively for resisting lateral forces in high seismic regions of the United States. Numerical and large-scale experimental studies of BRBFs have shown predictable seismic performance with robust ductility and energy dissipation capacity. However, the low post-yield stiffness of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) may cause BRBFs to exhibit large maximum and residual drifts and allow the formation of soft stories. Thus, reserve strength provided by other elements in the lateral-force-resisting system is critical to improving seismic performance of BRBFs. This reserve strength can be provided in two primary ways: (1) moment-resisting connections within the BRBF and (2) a steel special moment-resisting frame (SMRF) in parallel with the BRBF to create a dual system configuration. These two approaches to providing reserve strength can be used together or separately, leading to a variety of potential system configurations. In addition, special attention must be given to the connections within the BRBF since moment-resisting connections have been observed experimentally to limit drift capacity due to undesirable connection-related failure modes. This paper presents nonlinear dynamic analysis results and evaluates performance of BRBF and BRBF-SMRF systems using moment-resisting and non-moment-resisting beam-column connections within the BRBF. Reserve strength is shown to play a critical role in seismic behavior and performance of BRBFs.     

Buckling-restrained braced frame connection performance

Large-scale experimental studies of buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs) have shown that although they display good overall seismic performance, they may have limitations due to connection failure modes that do not allow the braces to realize their full ductility capacity. These experimental results motivate further investigation of BRBF connection behavior. In this study, nonlinear finite element models are used to study BRBF beam–column–brace connections. The models focus on a one-story subassembly extracted from a previously-tested, four-story BRBF. After the baseline finite element analysis results are verified with experimental data, parametric studies varying the connection configuration are used to assess the key factors influencing performance. Connection configuration is shown to have a significant impact on global system response and localized connection demands.     

Evaluating response modification factors of concentrically braced steel frames

Response modification factor is one of the seismic design parameters to consider nonlinear performance of building structures during strong earthquake. Relying on this, many seismic design codes led to reduce loads. The present paper tries to evaluate the response modification factors of conventional concentric braced frames (CBFs) as well as buckling restrained braced frames (BRBFs). Since, the response modification factor depends on ductility and overstrength, the static nonlinear analysis has been performed on building models including single and double bracing bays, multi-floors and different brace configurations (chevron V, invert V and X bracing). The CBFs and BRBFs values for factors such as ductility, overstrength, force reduction due to ductility and response modification have been assessed for all the buildings. The results showed that the response modification factors for BRBFs were higher than the CBFs one. It was found that the number of bracing bays and height of buildings have had greater effect on the response modification factors.     

基于滑移连接的防屈曲支撑钢框架节点抗震性能研究

防屈曲支撑（BRB）是一种拉压均可全截面屈服耗能而不屈曲的金属阻尼器,在建筑结构的抗震减震设计中得到广泛应用。然而,由于大变形下支撑框架节点存在显著开合效应,在罕遇地震作用下易出现节点板和相邻梁柱构件的提早断裂现象,限制了BRB抗震性能的充分发挥。为此,在总结BRB钢框架节点的现行设计方法及节点失效模式基础上,提出了可释放节点开合效应的滑移连接节点板,采用低摩擦材料减小接触面摩擦力。建立有限元模型,通过与传统焊接节点板对比,分析两种不同连接对节点板、梁柱和BRB受力性能的影响。以此为基础,设计该类节点足尺试验模型,对其进行拟静力试验,分析其在往复荷载下的抗震性能。研究结果表明：所提出的滑移连接可有效释放节点板与梁柱之间的切向约束和开合效应,显著降低了节点板的塑性损伤,实现了罕遇地震作用下节点板弹性的性能目标;梁塑性铰由节点板端部移至梁柱交界面处,降低了梁柱构件的剪力水平和塑性损伤;在层间位移角4%下各关键构件仍具有饱满稳定的滞回性能,显著提高了BRB钢框架的抗震性能。     

基于能量平衡的梁柱刚接防屈曲支撑钢框架设计方法

针对梁柱刚接的防屈曲支撑钢框架,根据能量平衡的概念提出基于能量的抗震设计方法,使结构在罕遇地震作用下满足给定的目标位移。设计方法以钢框架与防屈曲支撑在目标位移下耗散的能量之和等于地震输入能量为准则进行能量分配。地震输入能量以原钢框架的地震输入能量为基准,计入结构周期和延性变化的影响进行调整后得到,并以结构在位移幅值下循环1周耗能作为总耗能。建立防屈曲支撑的耗能需求曲线和目标位移下的耗能能力曲线,求得防屈曲支撑的截面面积。应用此方法设计3跨5层的防屈曲支撑钢框架结构,采用ANSYS软件建立有限元模型,对所设计的钢框架结构进行罕遇地震作用下的时程分析,结果表明：应用此方法设计的梁柱刚接防屈曲支撑框架在地震作用下最大层间位移角与给定的设计目标较为一致,所设计的结构安全可靠。     

偏心支撑半刚接钢框架的动力特性及抗震性能试验研究

偏心支撑半刚接钢框架是一种新型抗震结构体系,为研究其动力特性及抗震性能,进行了4个三层空间框架试件的试验研究。动力特性测试表明,随着梁柱节点转动刚度的降低,结构自振频率减小,阻尼比增加。循环加载试验表明,节点刚度和承载力对偏心支撑框架结构的滞回性能有显著影响,节点刚度和承载力越高,滞回性能越好,节点刚度较低的偏心支撑框架不宜用于抗震设防区;偏心支撑显著增加了半刚接钢框架的抗侧刚度,使得节点刚度对框架刚度的影响减弱,但降低了结构延性;结构的塑性变形主要来自节点域、消能梁段及梁柱节点连接件;多层偏心支撑框架的侧移变形为剪切型,层间屈服位移角较大。     

Compressive behavior of central gusset plate connections for a buckling-restrained braced frame

Buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs) are used as lateral-load resisting systems in seismic design. The braces in BRBFs are connected to beams and columns by gusset plate connections, and can yield in both tension and compression instead of buckling. Although tests of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) have demonstrated their ability to withstand significant inelastic axial deformation, large-scale BRBF tests have exhibited central gusset plate buckling before BRBs develop the ultimate compressive strength. To extend and better understand the experimental work, this paper presents an analytical study of the compressive behavior for BRBF central gusset plate connections using the finite element computer program ABAQUS. A model of a previously tested BRBF is conducted to predict experimental buckling load of the central gusset plate and verify the accuracy of a simple model of a central gusset plate connection including a beam and part of the BRB. The out-of-plane deformation of the central gusset plate resembles the buckled shape of a gusset plate with low bending rigidity provided by the BRB end. The experimental buckling load of the central gusset plate cannot be predicted based on the AISC-LRFD approach with an effective column length factor of 1.2. Therefore, a parametric study on the compressive strength of BRBF central gusset plate connections is conducted with various gusset plate dimensions and free-edge stiffeners. An inelastic plate buckling equation together with coefficient charts is proposed to predict ultimate load. For gusset plates with sufficient free-edge stiffener rigidity, the yield load can be developed and increased to the post-yield strength level. A required free-edge stiffener size is also recommended for BRBF central gusset plates to develop compressive yield load.     

Bracing systems for seismic retrofitting of steel frames

The present study assesses the seismic performance of steel moment resisting frames (MRFs) retrofitted with different bracing systems. Three structural configurations were utilized: special concentrically braces (SCBFs), buckling-restrained braces (BRBFs) and mega-braces (MBFs). A 9-storey steel perimeter MRF was designed with lateral stiffness insufficient to satisfy code drift limitations in zones with high seismic hazard. The frame was then retrofitted with SCBFs, BRBFs and MBFs. Inelastic time-history analyses were carried out to assess the structural performance under earthquake ground motions. Local (member rotations) and global (interstorey and roof drifts) deformations were employed to compare the inelastic response of the retrofitted frames. It is shown that MBFs are the most cost-effective bracing systems. Maximum storey drifts of MBFs are 70% lower than MRFs and about 50% lower than SCBFs. The lateral drift reductions are, however, function of the characteristics of earthquake ground motions, especially frequency content. Configurations with buckling-restrained mega-braces possess seismic performance marginally superior to MBFs despite their greater weight. The amount of steel for structural elements and their connections in configurations with mega-braces is 20% lower than in SCBFs. This reduces the cost of construction and renders MBFs attractive for seismic retrofitting applications.     

钢框架抗震改造的支撑系统研究

评估了采用不同支撑系统改造的抗弯钢框架的抗震性能。共采用3种结构形式:中心支撑框架、防屈曲支撑框架、巨型支撑框架。设计了一横向刚度不足的9层钢框架,满足规范对高地震灾害区域结构的侧移要求。用中心支撑、防屈曲支撑和巨型支撑改造框架。进行非弹性时程分析,评估地震作用下的结构性能。以局部变形(杆件转角)和整体变形(层间及屋顶侧移)为参数,比较改造框架非弹性性能的不同。结果表明:巨型支撑框架是最有效率的支撑系统,其最大层间侧移比抗弯框架低70%,比中心支撑框架低50%。侧移的减小量与地震特性有关,尤其是频率。防屈曲支撑的抗震性能仅稍优于巨型支撑框架,但其总质量更大。巨型支撑框架的杆件和节点用钢量比同心支撑框架低20%,既可降低费用又具有抗震优势。     

Performance-based plastic design method for buckling-restrained braced frames

This paper presents a performance-based plastic design (PBPD) methodology for the design of buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs). The design base shear is obtained based on energy–work balance using pre-selected target drift and yield mechanism. Three low-to-medium rise BRBFs (3-story, 6-story and 9-story) were designed by the proposed methodology and their seismic performance was evaluated through extensive nonlinear time-history analyses using forty ground motions representing the DBE and the MCE hazard levels. Both isotropic and kinematic hardening characteristics of buckling-restrained braces were considered in the modeling of their force–deformation behaviors. All BRBFs considered in this study reached the intended performance objectives in terms of yield mechanisms and target drift levels. Since PBPD is a direct design method, no iterations were carried out to achieve the performance objectives of BRBFs.     

新型墙板内置无黏结支撑钢框架滞回性能试验研究

通过墙板内置无黏结支撑钢框架结构的拟静力试验研究,考察了墙板内置支撑的构造、支撑与钢框架的连接、梁柱节点形式与节点区加强方式等对其滞回性能的影响。试验表明,总体上,采用组合墙板和组装墙板的两种新型墙板内置支撑均具有良好的延性,墙板无破坏时支撑的轴向累积非弹性变形能力均满足要求。钢板支撑端部焊接加劲肋后再与钢框架直接焊接连接是可行的,梁柱节点刚接时加强梁端的构造使钢框架和支撑均有稳定的受力性能。梁柱铰接节点因承受面内弯矩而使角钢出现裂纹并受拉断裂。支撑和钢框架分别在层间侧移角约1/355和1/75时进入屈服。总体上,梁柱铰接和刚接的结构在破坏前骨架曲线分别呈双折线和三折线。梁柱刚接的结构中,钢梁翼缘在侧移角约1/50时出现局部屈曲,并在随后更大幅值加载下出现裂纹和受拉断裂。试件最终因局部钢构件的断裂而破坏,破坏时侧移角远大于1/50,破坏前结构的滞回性能较稳定。     

Multi-Index Seismic Capacity Evaluation of Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames

The seismic capacity of a structure is determined by the performance index that reaches its ultimate bearing or deformation capacity first. This paper presents a multi-index seismic capacity evaluation method for accurately evaluating the seismic capacity of a structure. The normalized response curves of several indices are concurrently plotted to form a multi-index seismic capacity evaluation figure, in which the seismic capacity and demand values that correspond to various indices can be determined by vertical and horizontal threshold lines. Based on an incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), a 6-story buckling-restrained braced frame (BRBF) and a series of comparable 6-story steel frames are analyzed using the proposed method to verify the method and investigate the seismic behavior of BRBFs. The results show that the seismic performance of buckling-restrained braces is not the only factor that determines the seismic capacity of BRBFs and indicate that the multi-index seismic capacity evaluation method can effectively identify the critical index of a structure and the weakest links that restrict the structural seismic capacity.     

钢框架抗震改造的支撑系统研究

评估了不同支撑系统改造的抗弯钢框架的抗震性能。采用3种结构形式:中心支撑框架、防屈曲支撑框架和巨型支撑框架。设计了一横向刚度不足的9层钢框架,满足规范对高地震灾害区域结构的侧移要求。用中心支撑、防屈曲支撑和巨型支撑改造框架,进行非弹性时程分析,评估地震作用下的结构性能。以局部变形(杆件转角)和整体变形(层间及屋顶侧移)为参数,比较改造框架非弹性性能的不同。结果表明:巨型支撑框架是最有效率的支撑系统,其最大层间侧移比抗弯框架低70%,比中心支撑框架低50%。侧移的减小量与地震特性有关,尤其是频率。防屈曲支撑的抗震性能仅稍优于巨型支撑框架,但其总质量更大。巨型支撑框架的杆件和节点用钢量比中心支撑框架低20%,既降低了费用又体现了抗震优势。     

防屈曲支撑钢框架结构中被撑柱抗震设计探讨

通过3个算例,对采用人字形和V字形的无粘结内藏钢板支撑剪力墙(即人字形和V字形防屈曲支撑)的防屈曲支撑钢框架结构的抗震性能进行分析。重点考察大震下,支撑的轴力分布和对被撑柱所受轴力的影响。分析表明,采用结构在一阶振型下的支撑轴力分布来设计被撑柱的做法,适用于多层的防屈曲支撑钢框架结构;而对于高层的防屈曲支撑钢框架结构,高振型影响较显著,上述设计方法对被撑柱的设计较保守,有必要考虑高振型参与下的支撑轴力分布来设计被撑柱。     

双管式挫屈束制(屈曲约束)支撑之耐震行为与应用

挫屈束制(屈曲约束)支撑一般是由十字型或一字型钢板构成之核心单元加上钢管混凝土构成之束制(约束)单元所组成。由于单核心断面之挫屈束制支撑在与构架接合时每一端需使用八片续接板及两套的螺栓，造成接合部分较长且易发生挫屈(屈曲)，为了改善此种挫屈束制支撑与接合，相关研究已发展出以双T型核心配双钢管或双钢板核心配双钢管而组成之双钢管型挫屈束制支撑构件，并已成功地在台大完成一系列之试验，本研究进一步针对大尺寸之单层挫屈束制支撑构架进行试验。研究目的包括：(1)探讨支撑具不同核心长度比例构架之试验与解析行为；(2)研究挫屈束制支撑核心应变与楼层侧位移角之关系；(3)提供含挫屈束制支撑构架之分析与设计建议。由i组V型双钢板双钢管挫屈束制支撑构架之试验显示，支撑核心之极限应变可利用楼层的最大侧位移角需求，以简单的几何关系及支撑核心长度与工作点间长度之比值计算而得，试验结果亦显示，在构架产生最大侧位移角时支撑之核心拉应变会大于相邻支撑之核心压应变，显示两相邻支撑之轴拉力与轴压力在试体巾有互相平衡之趋势，而不会发生最大轴压力显著大于最大轴拉力的现象。     

Cyclic behavior of concentrically braced frames with built-up braces composed of channel sections

Concentrically braced frames are earthquake resistant systems commonly used in buildings. Seismic behavior of this type of structures is affected by their configurations, brace properties, and brace to gusset plate connections. In this paper, the results of three experiments conducted to investigate the cyclic behavior of concentrically braced frames with braces built-up of double channels are reported. Significant damage was observed in beam to column connections. Large out of plane deformation of braces caused some cracks in the connector welds; however they did not result in fracture. Although large drift was applied to the frames, no brace fracture was observed. Furthermore, experiments showed that the majority of compressive strength in post-buckling state and a noticeable portion of tensile strength originated from frame action. By choosing connector spacing as the main parameter and using finite element models, a parametric study was performed to investigate the effect of this parameter on this type of frames with two different details of brace to gusset plate connections. It is observed that reducing the connector spacing increases the inelastic strain demand in braces and decreases it in gusset plates. However, gusset plates, which accommodate 2t linear clearance, are less dependent on connector spacing, compared to those accommodating 6t elliptical clearance. It seems that the limitations of slenderness ratio of individual section, stipulated in current seismic provisions, need further study.     

中心支撑-框架钢结构设计与研究

对人字形中心支撑-框架结构的抗震设计进行研究。在不同的支撑长细比下,支撑受压屈曲后的强度退化程度是不同的。根据我国抗震规范规定的设计支撑强度的方法,当取不同的长细比λ时,会产生不同的结构初始刚度和变幅很大的强度值,且工程设计很复杂。为此,提出一新的支撑强度设计方法,并认为人字形中心支撑的强度是由一侧杆受压后屈曲强度与另一侧杆的受拉屈服强度两部分构成。新的设计方法确保了结构初始刚度和强度不受支撑长细比影响。建议方法的优点还在于其能够较好地控制最大层间位移角。最后,深入探讨了多层钢支撑-框架结构出现薄弱层的问题。     

防屈曲支撑框架设计方法研究

采用数值手段,研究了防屈曲支撑框架和普通中心支撑框架在性能上的差异。基于弹塑性时程分析,由大量防屈曲支撑框架算例,建立支撑框架结构在大震下的层间位移角最大值随抗侧刚度比k变化的关系曲线,按照大震不倒的要求,获得k值的合理取值范围。分别对不同k值下支撑框架结构的设计进行研究,得到相应k值下允许设计的最弱框架(即框架设计的临界点),供结构设计参考。     

梁贯通式支撑钢框架体系的强度折减系数研究

基于强度折减系数的抗震设计方法,将增量动力分析（IDA）和能力谱法（CSM）结合,对典型梁贯通式支撑钢框架结构的强度折减系数进行研究。采用结构试验校准后的有限元分析模型对结构进行分析,得到结构性能点。通过比较按照设防烈度弹性设计的基底剪力Ve和按照小震设计的基底剪力Vd得到强度折减系数R。分析表明：支撑与框架柱的配置比例及布置方式会对此类结构的强度折减系数产生影响;适用于7度设防烈度的典型两层结构两种支撑配置比例（CASE1和CASE2一层与二层支撑配置比例分别为3∶1和2∶1）梁贯通式支撑钢框架结构体系的强度折减系数可分别取为3.02和2.54。最后建议了该新型结构体系考虑强度折减系数并基于我国现行规范进行抗震设计的地震作用取值范围。     

Seismic design and assessment for midrise buildings equipped with damped-outrigger system

The damped-outrigger system has been proposed to improve the performance of conventional outrigger systems in controlling the structural seismic response by increasing the damping and stiffness. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of using damped-outrigger systems in midrise buildings and provide engineers with a comparison between conventional structural systems such as moment resisting frame (MRF) and buckling-restrained braced frame (BRBF) in proposing the most suitable structural system. In this study, the buckling-restrained brace and viscous damper are adopted as the energy dissipation devices in the damped-outrigger system. A total of 48 midrise numerical models with various building heights and structural systems are analyzed using nonlinear response history analysis and incremental dynamic analyses. The analysis results show that the midrise buildings equipped with a damped-outrigger system with either viscous damper or buckling-restrained brace (BRB) can reach similar and even better seismic performance when compared with the BRBF; it also reduces the structural responses by around 30% for the maximum roof drift and acceleration responses when compared with MRF. The analysis results could provide a reference for structural engineers when selecting suitable lateral force resisting systems for midrise buildings.