Study the Feasibility of Transferring the Energy Absorption from Link Beam to Braces in Eccentrically Braced Frames

Abstract eng:
Eccentrically braced frame is an effective lateral-resistant system which simultaneously has the advantages of rigidity of concentrically braced frames and ductility of moment-resisting frames. The segment of beam located between two braces is known as link beam. The link beam acts as a fuse and prevents the other members of frame to enter the inelastic range. The link absorbs a significant amount of energy by inelastic deformation. One of the problems of the eccentrically braced frames is the repair of frame after the earthquake. The beam should be replaced since significant inelastic deformations occurred in the link beam. If it becomes possible to transfer the energy absorption from link to braces, the repair will be fast and less expensive, since the replacement of braces is very simple comparing to the replacement of beams. In this study, lower strength steel is used for the braces according to the general concept of easy-going steel (EGS). The brace yields in less displacement and the amount of energy absorption increase significantly. The maximum acceptable area of braces is obtained as a function of area, height and inertia moment of beam, geometrical properties of frame and yield stress ratio of constructional steel and EGS. Then a finite element model was developed according to an experimental test carried out by Berman et al. on an eccentrically braced steel frame and the results of the finite element model and the experiment were compared and good agreement was achieved. Having verified the model, pushover analysis was conducted for various frame models. The results confirmed that energy absorption transfer from link beam to braces is feasible.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket