Seismic response of stainless steel braced frames

The present paper investigates the feasibility of the application of stainless steel (SS) in the seismic design of braced frames, either concentrically (CBFs) or eccentrically (EBFs) braced. A sample of regular multi-storey CBFs and EBFs was designed in compliance with modern seismic standards based on capacity-design rules. The results of pushover and inelastic response history analyses demonstrate that systems employing SSs exhibit enhanced plastic deformations and excellent energy absorbing capacity with respect to mild steel braced frames. The augmented strain hardening of SS, which is nearly twice that of carbon steels, is beneficial to prevent local buckling in steel members, especially those subjected to high axial compression. The performed analyses also demonstrate that in CBFs with SS braces and columns the increase in overstrength is about 40% with respect to the configuration in mild steel. For EBFs, the use of SS in the diagonals or in braces and links increases the global overstrength of the lateral resisting system by 20%. When the EBFs employ braces and columns in SS the increase can be as high as 50%.     

Seismic performance of chevron braced frames with shape memory alloy vertical shear link

Chevron braced steel frames with vertical shear link have reliable displacement dependent dampers with sufficient strength and ductility to dissipate energy of strong earthquakes through inelastic mechanisms. In this study, shape memory alloy with its superelastic behavior is utilized as material of vertical shear link to improve the ductility characteristics of the system and decrease residual displacements in the structures due to its self‐centering capability. Nonlinear time‐history, incremental dynamic analysis, and dynamic pushover analysis techniques are used to investigate the behavior of two different four‐ and eight‐story frames with steel vertical shear link (STVL) and shape memory alloy vertical shear link (SMVL) under various earthquake records. The results show that there is a negligible residual displacement in the structures with SMVL, although considerable residual displacements can be observed in the structures with STVL. For instance, when the eight‐story frame is subjected to the Northridge earthquake, a 12‐cm residual displacement is observed in the structures with STVL, whereas the structures with SMVL might experience just 3‐cm residual displacement.     

Seismic response of steel frames with self-centeringbuckling-restrained braces

自复位防屈曲支撑构件在拟静力试验中表现出良好的复位性能及耗能能力。但是,自复位防屈曲支撑钢框架中支撑与主体结构的刚度关系,以及结构中的复位系统与耗能系统的关系如何合理设置,都需要借助结构试验或参数分析来解决。根据我国现行规范设计了钢框架结构,在构件试验研究及理论分析基础上给出了自复位防屈曲支撑钢框架结构的三线性恢复力模型,并用有限元软件ANSYS建立结构模型。根据此模型对防屈曲支撑钢框架和自复位防屈曲支撑钢框架结构进行了抗震性能对比。通过自复位防屈曲支撑动力位移反应分析,研究了支撑与结构刚度比αB/M,结构耗能系统与复位系统的屈服力比β及其刚度比αc三个重要参数。结果表明：自复位防屈曲支撑钢框架结构最大位移及残余位移角均小于防屈曲支撑钢框架结构的。结构刚度比αB/M越大越有利于减少残余变形;屈服力比β越大结构位移响应越小;刚度比αc越大结构位移响应越小。在初始设计时,建议钢框架结构的αB/M取为3;β取0.5~0.9;αc取为0.5。     

Incremental dynamic analysis of steel frames equipped with NiTi shape memory alloy braces

This paper determines the seismic performance of four‐storey concentrically braced frames equipped with either steel buckling‐restrained braces or buckling‐restrained superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) braces through incremental dynamic analysis. The incremental dynamic analysis technique is used to examine the behaviour of four‐storey braced frames with four different bracing configurations (including diagonal, split‐X, chevron‐V and inverted‐V) under 20 different ground motion records. The study reveals a satisfactory performance at the design intensity level for both types of braced frames. The results show that the SMA braces lead to a uniform distribution of inelastic response over the height of the buildings, as well as mitigating seismic response in terms of maximum inter‐storey drift and residual roof displacement. By comparing the responses of SMA and buckling‐restrained braced frames under higher intensities of earthquake loading, it is found that the SMA braces can be more beneficial especially under severe ground motion excitations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic performance of steel mega braced frames equipped with shape‐memory alloy braces under near‐fault earthquakes

This paper has two main objectives. The first objective is to compare the dynamic behavior of mega shape‐memory alloy (SMA) braced frames subjected to far‐fault and near‐fault ground motions. Therefore, four mega SMA braced frames with various stories located in the vicinity of an active fault were considered. Fourteen near‐fault records with two well‐known characteristics of these records, i.e. forward directivity and fling step, were selected to test near‐fault earthquake characteristics. Furthermore, other seven far‐field records were selected for comparison. Through the nonlinear dynamic analyses, the results showed that for high‐rise frames, the near‐fault earthquakes resulted in more demands than the far‐field, but for low‐rise frames, far‐fault records imposed more demands. It was also found that mega configuration and SMA stiffening at large strains played key roles in seismic vibration control of frames. The second objective of this paper is to study the superior performance of SMA braces over the buckling restrained braces by exploiting the super‐elastic characteristic of the SMA. Identical buildings equipped with buckling restrained braces were also studied for comparison purposes. The results revealed the excellent performance of SMA braces under near‐fault records by reducing both interstory drift and residual displacement of the top floor. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimum seismic design of concentrically braced steel frames: concepts and design procedures

A methodology is presented for optimization of the dynamic response of concentrically braced steel frames subjected to seismic excitation, based on the concept of uniform distribution of deformation. In order to obtain the optimum distribution of structural properties, an iterative optimization procedure has been adopted. In this approach, the structural properties are modified so that inefficient material is gradually shifted from strong to weak areas of a structure. This process is continued until a state of uniform deformation is achieved. It is shown that the seismic performance of such a structure is optimal, and behaves generally better than those designed by conventional methods. In order to avoid onerous analysis of the frame models, an equivalent procedure is introduced for performing the optimization procedure on the modified reduced shear-building model of the frames, which is shown to be accurate enough for design purposes.     

Steel beam-column connection using copper-based shape memory alloy dampers

This study presents the details of an experimental investigation on a prototype partially restrained connection using copper-based shape memory alloy (SMA) bars. The proposed configuration consists of an end-plate connection between a rectangular hollow structural steel beam and a wide flange steel column, where four CuAlBe () bars, in austenitic phase, are used to prestress the end-plate to the column flange. A physical model of the connection was tested by applying a controlled cyclic displacement history at the tip of the beam with two different characteristic frequencies of 0.25 and 1 Hz. Potentiometers and load cells were used to measure strains and stresses in the bars and the displacement and load applied at the beam tip. Similar bars, with the same thermal treatment, had been previously tested in cyclic tension at several nominal strains and frequencies, showing superelastic behavior for deformations up to 2.3% strain. In static tensile tests, the fracture strain was approximately 8%, with a transgranular fracture mechanism. The equivalent damping ratio for the single bar test increases for larger strains, being 6% for a 2.3% strain. The beam-column connection also exhibited superelastic behavior, a moderate level of energy dissipation, and no strength degradation after being subjected to several cycles up to 3% drift. Finally, a set of numerical simulations are conducted to compare the performance of a rigid steel frame and a partially restrained frame with SMA connections using a three-story benchmark structure.     

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.     

基于屈服点谱法的中心支撑钢框架抗震性态评估

屈服点谱(Yield Point Spectra,YPS)是以位移-加速度表述的反应谱形式。YPS可以用于对现有结构进行抗震评估,确定结构在给定地震作用下的峰值位移和延性。本文按照我国设计规范分别设计了6层、9层、12层3个人字形中心支撑钢框架结构,利用YPS对3个结构进行非线性静力分析,得到结构在设防地震和罕遇地震下的峰值位移和层间位移角,并与SAP2000动力时程分析得到的结果进行对比,评估人字形中心支撑钢框架在设防地震和罕遇地震下的抗震性态,评价了YPS方法用于中心支撑钢框架抗震性态评估的可靠性。     

The seismic behaviour of steel moment-resisting frames with stiffening braces

The present paper deals with the seismic behaviour of steel structures which are designed in the attempt of exploiting the dual characteristics of moment resisting frames (MRFs) and concentrically braced frames (CBFs) as lateral force resisting systems. Three prototype frames are studied within the context of Eurocode 8 (EC8) provisions; these are MRFs which are traditionally designed, against ultimate seismic actions (ULS), without checking serviceability limit state rules (SLS-interstory drift limits). To fulfill these requirements concentrical braces are inserted in the frames, which are not considered in the collapse resistance of the structural system. The non-linear behaviour of these systems under ultimate seismic environment is studied and compared to the one of the unbraced MRFs. The influence of second order effects is also investigated.     

Progressive collapse analysis of seismically designed steel braced frames

The progressive collapse resistance of seismically designed steel braced frames is investigated using validated computational simulation models. Two types of braced systems are considered: namely, special concentrically braced frames and eccentrically braced frames. The study is conducted on previously designed 10-story prototype buildings by applying the alternate path method. In this methodology, critical columns and adjacent braces, if present, are instantaneously removed from an analysis model and the ability of the model to successfully absorb member loss is investigated. Member removal in this manner is intended to represent a situation where an extreme event or abnormal load destroys the member. The simulation results show that while both systems benefit from placement of the seismically designed frames on the perimeter of the building, the eccentrically braced frame is less vulnerable to progressive collapse than the special concentrically braced frame. Improvement in behavior is due to improved system and member layouts in the former compared to the latter rather than the use of more stringent seismic detailing.     

Approximate formulae for natural periods of plane steel frames

Approximate formulae for determining by hand with a high enough accuracy the first three natural periods of vibration of plane steel unbraced and braced frames are provided. These formulae are based on the modeling of a plane steel frame as an equivalent cantilever beam for which analytical expressions for the natural periods are available. Extensive parametric studies involving the finite element computation of the first three natural periods of 110 plane steel unbraced and braced frames are employed to establish correction factors for the equivalent beam modeling formulae which are functions of the number of stories and bays of the frame. The resulting corrected formulae permit a highly accurate determination of the first three natural periods of plane steel frames.     

Influence of connection design parameters on the seismic performance of braced frames

Special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs) are commonly used lateral-load resisting systems in seismic design. In SCBFs, the braces are connected to the beams and columns by gusset plate connections, and inelastic deformation is developed through tensile yielding and inelastic post-buckling deformation of the brace. Recent experimental research has indicated that the seismic performance of SCBFs can be improved by designing the SCBF gusset plate connections with direct consideration of the seismic deformation demands and by permitting yielding in the gusset plate at select performance levels.Experimental research provides important information needed to improve SCBF behavior, but the high cost of experiments limits this benefit. To extend and better understand the experimental work, a companion analytical study was conducted. In an earlier paper, the inelastic finite element model and analysis procedure were developed and verified through detailed comparison to experimental results. In this paper, the model and analytical procedure extend the experimental results. A parametric study was conducted to examine the influence of the gusset plate and framing elements on the seismic performance of SCBFs and to calibrate and develop improved design models. The impact of the frame details, including the beam-to-column connections, the brace angles, and their inelastic deformation demands, was also explored. The results suggest that proper detailing of the connections can result in a large improvement in the frame performance.     

Equivalent viscous damping in direct displacement‐based design of steel braced reinforced concrete frames

Performance‐based design method, particularly direct displacement‐based design (DDBD) method, has been widely used for seismic design of structures. Estimation of equivalent viscous damping factor used to characterize the substitute structure for different structural systems is a dominant parameter in this design methodology. In this paper, results of experimental and numerical investigations performed for estimating the equivalent viscous damping in DDBD procedure of two lateral resistance systems, moment frames and braced moment frames, are presented. For these investigations, cyclic loading tests are conducted on scaled moment resisting frames with and without bracing. The experimental results are also used to calibrate full‐scale numerical models. A numerical investigation is then conducted on a set of analytical moment resisting frames with and without bracing. The equivalent viscous damping and ductility of each analytical model are calculated from hysteretic responses. On the basis of analytical results, new equations are proposed for equivalent viscous damping as a function of ductility for reinforced concrete and steel braced reinforced concrete frames. As a result, the new equation is used in direct displacement‐based design of a steel braced reinforced concrete frame. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

柱间支撑对轻型门式刚架性能的影响

从轻型门式刚架的受力特点出发,系统地分析了柱间支撑的作用、设置原则以及柱间支撑对门式钢架受力性能的影响,并结合实际情况说明了柱间支撑的作用,对提高结构或构件的稳定性具有一定的现实意义。     

Y型偏心支撑钢框架受力性能有限元分析

建立了四种Y型偏心支撑钢框架有限元模型,对平面模型框架和三种空间模型框架进行了单向加载和循环加载试验,并对比分析了模型框架的屈服强度、极限承载力、侧向刚度、延性和耗能能力等方面的受力性能差异,得到的结果为工程设计提供了参考。     

Seismic performance of steel braced frames with self‐centering buckling‐restrained brace utilizing superelastic shape memory alloys

Buckling‐restrained braced frame (BRB) is one of the newest seismic force‐resisting systems used in buildings. However, one of the requirements for designing a structure is to provide a ductility behavior of structures to dissipate earthquake energy and to avoid residual drifts. These days, self‐centering seismic lateral force‐resisting systems have drawn attention due to their potentials to solve the above mentioned issues. On the other hand, shape memory alloys (SMAs) are characterized by unique superelastic behavior, which enables the material to recover its original shape after experiencing large deformations. The goal of this study is to assess BRBs whose ductility are improved by utilizing SMA. Nonlinear time history and incremental dynamic analysis techniques are applied to investigate the behavior of the two frames with different stories (four and eight stories) under different ground motion records. The results showed that utilizing BRB made of hybrid steel and SMA resulted in increasing ductility of the structure and decreasing residual displacements of the structures.     

BRBFs的抗震性能分析

应用ANSYS软件对屈曲约束支撑钢框架(BRBFs)和普通支撑钢框架的抗震性能进行有限元数值模拟,分析了两种结构在基本烈度地震作用下和罕遇地震作用下的层位移、顶层加速度及层间相对位移等结构响应,结果表明,在小震作用下两种结构抗震性能均表现良好,但在罕遇地震作用下普通支撑钢框架由于支撑的平面外失稳,导致整个结构刚度退化,而屈曲约束支撑钢框架则能更加有效地控制结构的侧移,降低结构的地震响应。     

考虑填充墙影响的防屈曲支撑-钢框架抗震性能分析

按照7度设防标准设计一20层平面钢框架,采用层刚度比方法布置防屈曲支撑,通过计算分析选出合理的刚度比例。采用Wael三撑杆模型、改进的Atkinson和Yan本构关系曲线模拟填充墙,并建立含填充墙的20层防屈曲支撑-钢框架模型。采用增量动力分析(IDA)方法并结合ATC委员会的提出的倒塌储备系数(CMR)评价方法,对防屈曲支撑-钢框架和含有填充墙的防屈曲支撑-钢框架进行了抗震性能对比研究。结果表明,填充墙可以显著提高结构的抗侧刚度,并能增强结构在罕遇地震下的抗倒塌能力,通过合理的布置防屈曲支撑可使7度设防钢框架基本实现8度"大震不倒"的设防目标,同时表明CMR抗震性能评估方法在长周期结构中的应用需进一步研究。     

Seismic assessment of steel frames with the endurance time method

In the endurance time (ET) method, structures are subjected to a specially designed intensifying ground acceleration function and their performance is judged based on their response at various excitation levels. A range of equivalent intensities can be covered in a single numerical or experimental simulation, thus significantly reducing the computational demand as compared to full nonlinear response-history analyses. The applied excitation intensity at various times has been correlated with those of the scaled ground motions. Response spectra of seven ground motions on stiff soil were used to produce intensifying acceleration functions that at each time window produce a response spectrum that is compatible with the template spectrum and proportionally scale up with time. The drift ratios and plastic hinge rotations compare well with those from ground motions in steel frames with various numbers of stories and bays. The locations of plastic hinges are also predicted quite satisfactorily by ET analysis. The sensitivity of the results to the selection of a particular set of ground motions is also studied.