EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPOSITE STEELCONCRETE BUCKLING-RESTRAINED BRACES (BRBS) FOR STEEL FRAMES

Effectiveness of composite steel-concrete buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) for steel frames is assessed in this paper. The buckling-restrained braced frames (BRBFs) are investigated by employing the ABAQUS software. This software uses the finite element method. A BRB which has been tested experimentally is modelled in this research in order to verify the modelling. Then, the result of the modelling is compared with that of the experimental test. Since there is a good agreement between the results, the verification of the modelling is accomplished. A BRBF is subsequently designed having moment-shear link. The dynamic analyses of the BRBF with moment-shear link are conducted under three different earthquake records of Tabas, Chi-Chi, and Northridge. The obtained results from the analyses include the lateral displacements, base shears, and energy dissipations of the BRBF and also moment-shear link rotations. These results are compared and discussed. The achieved results from the analyses of the BRBF are also compared with those of its corresponding steel eccentrically braced frame (EBF). The results signify the effectiveness of the BRBF having moment-shear link over the EBF with regard to the lateral displacement, base shear, energy dissipation, and link rotation.