Application of Buckling Restrained Braces (BRB) in the Philippines

Jose A. Sy
President and CEO of Sy^2 + Associates, Inc., Philippines

Abstract
The use of Buckling Restrained Braces (BRB) in the Philippines is now gaining wider acceptance. This paper
presents several project applications of these devices in major projects in the Philippines, namely, Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, Park Teracces of Ayala Land Inc. and West Super Block: The Suites of
Ayala Land Inc. The design of these buildings utilized Performance-Based Design method, a sophisticated
approach that considers post yield behavior of the non-linear building response during earthquake. The stiffness
and strength of the buckling restrained braces system were adjusted to optimize the performance of these buildings
under different levels of earthquake. The result shows the effectiveness of the buckling restrained braces applied
to these buildings.

1. Introduction
Tall buildings, in general, are vulnerable to large lateral displacements during earthquakes of high magnitudes.
Many strides have already been made to limit the excessive lateral interstorey displacements since problems usually
branch out from the geometric non-linearities caused by these displacements. Some of these problems are fractures
of beam-to-column connections and the excessive damage to non-structural elements.
There have also been advances in determining the probable seismic hazards at a site. These advances helped in
estimating seismic performance and thus analyzing the general seismic response of the structure. In performing
nonlinear dynamic analyses, the presence of major seismic sources like faults and subsurface conditions are also
being considered in predicting the possible ground motions.
While there have been great leaps on the procedures of structural analysis, other strides have initiated the need to
improve the performance of braced frames through the introduction of innovative structural configurations and the
utilization of special braces which incorporates the use of high performance materials, composite action, friction
and viscous damping. Considerable amount of research have been devoted to the development of braces which
exhibit an ideal elasto-plastic behavior when subjected to cyclic compressive and tensile forces similar to what
happens during an earthquake. This gave birth to buckling restrained braces (BRB) composed of a central yielding
core that can deform longitudinally but acts independently from the mechanism that restrains lateral and local
buckling.

2. What is BRB?
Buckling Restrained Brace (BRB) is a structural member that provides bracing for seismic loads or other loads.
The difference of Buckling Restrained Braced Frame from Concentrically Braced Frame and Special
Concentrically Braced Frame is the use and behavior of the BRB itself. BRB uses the ductility of steel more
efficiently than conventional braced frames.
BRBs are widely used in seismic design and retrofitting of buildings especially in the United States and Japan. The
effective use of buckling restrained braces enhances the performance of the structural system under severe
earthquakes (Dutta and Hamburger, 2011).

Figure 1. Components of a BRB

3. Overview of Performance-Based Design on Buildings using BRB

Incorporating BRB in the model for buildings is one of the more straightforward seismic force-resisting systems to
model for nonlinear analysis procedures, commonly used for performance-based design and because it can be
tailored for different performance objectives at different seismic hazard levels. Since Performance-Based seismic
design becomes more common, the application of BRB is expected to grow, particularly for taller structures and
buildings of high importance or in need of high performance (NEHRP, 2015).
Performance-based seismic design provides more flexibility to the design engineer in proportioning a seismic forceresisting system. BRB can be employed in a hybrid or dual configuration that can act as fuses with other systems
to achieve the desired performance objectives.

4. Advantages of Using BRB

Buckling Restrained Braces has full, balanced hysteretic behavior, with compression yielding comparable to
tension-yielding behavior by decoupling the stress-resisting and flexural-buckling resisting aspects of compression
strength. The shaped steel core withstands axial stresses and the sleeve gives buckling resistance to the core. It
results to almost uniform axial strains across the section because the steel core is controlled from buckling. The
properly designed and detailed BRB does not form plastic hinges which is related to buckling. This also allows
BRB to have very high compression strength. Due to confinement, the effective length of the core can be assumed
zero because there is no reduction in the strength of available material.

Figure 2. BRB Assembly and Hysteresis

5. Common BRB Assembly

The core is divided into three zones: the yielding zone, a reduced section within the zone of lateral restraint provided
by the sleeve; transition zones (of larger area than the yielding zone and similarly restrained) on either side; and
connection zones that extend past the sleeve and connect to the frame, typically by means of gusset plates.
The ends of the sleeve help the larger area of the core not to bear on it under expected deformations because the
length yielding zone changes when inelastic deformation happens in the BRB.
The BRB end connections must be designed to transmit forces to the core without allowing substantial stress to
happen in the sleeve so that axial yielding of the steel core can be accommodated. This is why the end connections
are designed to have larger yield strength than the core within the sleeve.

6. Uses of BRBs for Buildings in the Philippines

Due to the wide array of structural performance advantages offered by Buckling Restrained Braces (BRB), it is
currently used as a primary lateral force resisting element, both in new construction and in seismic retrofitting of
old buildings.
6.1. Enhancement of Building Response
The improvement in the structural system is brought by the ability of BRB to provide a considerable increase
in damping without sacrificing an intolerable building response period. BRB also exhibit the ability to
considerably dissipate stored energy during earthquakes. As a result, building story shear and story moment
were significantly reduced, possibly leading to an optimized design.
6.2. Seismic Retrofitting
It was observed that reinforced concrete structures which were designed prior to the modern seismic codes and
guidelines are vulnerable to the effects of severe earthquakes. A suitable seismic retrofitting procedure is the
installation of BRB to increase the strength and ductility of the structure since it offers significant advantages
like comparatively low in weight, suitability in prefabrication, and the possibility of openings for utilities,
access and light.
The use of buckling restrained braces in retrofitting existing structures not only presented advantages in terms
of limiting the maximum inter-story drift but as well as a fairly uniform distribution of drift along the entire
height. Due to its extensive deformation capacity, buildings can undergo significant nonlinear behavior during
severe ground motions.

7. Analytic Modeling
A complete three-dimensional finite element model was created which includes the tower enplaning and deplaning
levels for the airport terminal and combined tower and podium for the tall residential buildings. For the evaluation
of the nonlinear response of the building under MCE level earthquakes, the flexural response of the core wall,
coupling beams, and axial load response of BRBs were modeled with nonlinear force-deformation behavior.
PERFORM 3D BRB compound Component was used to model the BRBs. The BRB compound component has
three (3) parts; 1. BRB basic component, which incorporate the nonlinear behavior; 2. BRB elastic bar component,
which corresponds to the steel outside the main elastic zone; 3. Stiff end zone, which represents the length and
cross section area of the elastic bar. The end zone accounts for the gusset plates at both ends of the member.
PERFORM 3D shearwall element was used to model the nonlinear behavior of the core wall. Two parallel fiber
sections were used to model the shearwall section. The first fiber section consists of only uniformly distributed
steel only and the second fiber section consists of combined steel + concrete section at boundary zone elements.

8. Design Process
Nowadays, frames are modeled using engineering design software. Beam-column connections in frames are
considered as fully restrained than a pinned connection. However, rotation still occurs, therefore, pinned condition
must also be demonstrated. All braced frames with gusseted connections are also considered.
The typical BRB system used in these projects were checked under wind and seismic loading. After the nonlinear
analysis for MCE level earthquakes, the size of the BRBs were adjusted for optimum performance and to control
story drifts. The stiffness of the BRBs were also adjusted by varying the cross-sectional area and effective length
of the steel core. The stiffness were adjusted in such a way that the stiffness of the BRB at a certain floor is higher
than storey stiffness in that floor. Yielding of BRB serves as energy dissipation action and provides higher ductility
to the core wall system.
Modeling the gusset plate is not necessary for typical design. However, to fully estimate the rotation that may occur
in brace connections that will help in establishing the adequacy of a tested brace design, gusset plate is modeled as
a rigid offset. This will also help in modeling true brace stiffness since the yielding segment of the brace only
contributes in the flexibility of the frame. More sophisticated and detailed models of gusset plate are designed using
finite-element models which show their rotational capacity.
The design of BRB is not governed by any building code, but provisions are available that state design requirements
and procedures and detailed testing requirements for establishing the adequacy of BRBs. Researchers and
manufacturers have developed several BRB brace types that are commercially available. After designing BRBs for
adequate strength, other frame members such as beams, columns and bracing connections are designed using
capacity-design principles.

9. Specifications and Testing

Recommended provisions address the hysteretic behavior of BRBs. Testing of buckling restrained braced frames
is necessary to verify if it provides adequate maximum and cumulative ductility capacity, including any required
rotational deformations. Testing can be also very helpful in evaluating quality-control methods used in the
production of braces, and establishes over-strength factors for design. Testing requirements in recommended
provisions are mandated to assure that certain failure modes do not limit the performance of the brace and the
system. These include global modes, like overall brace instability, and local modes, like bearing or binding of the
connection, which would prevent the steel core from yielding at the anticipated force level.
Manufacturers like Star Seismic of USA and Nippon Steel of Japan are engaged in these projects. The testing
requirements of the frame system are delegated to the brace manufacturer. Manufacturers have developed many
tests, and for most projects, they can provide braces without project-specific testing. Buckling-restrained braces
specifications must include the furnishing of the braces, including associated brace-design calculations and qualitycontrol procedures, and the documentation of successful tests that qualify the furnished braces for use in the project.

10. Projects with BRBs

10.1. NAIA Terminal 1
It is an old building which cannot comply with the seismic provisions of the current codes and guidelines.
ASCE 41-13 Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings recommends Tier 3 evaluation. PerformanceBased Design method was used to model and analyze this old structure. BRBs were strategically located
to enhance the response and ductility of the building.
Seismic upgrade can be global or local or even both. Global solution such as providing additional
structural elements to absorb most of the seismic load in order to free the existing members from
excessive stresses. Local solution means strengthening all members whose D/C ratios exceeds 1.00.
Local strengthening used carbon fiber wrapped to enhance shearwall, column and girder shear capacities.
After incorporating BRBs in the model, the base shears and story moments were reduced. As a result,
the retrofitting intensity were minimized and were applied into localized areas only, unlike with the initial
analysis without the BRBs wherein a projected global retrofitting is expected.

10.2. Park Terraces Tower 1

This building has no backup frames and transforms the columns to resist pure gravity, eliminating the need
for costly joint and confining ties.
Buckling restrained braces enhance the building performance and provide certain degree of redundancy.
The BRB system reduces the storey drifts of the building both the principal major and minor direction,
which are less than 3% of acceptable limit.
At Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE), the base shear was reduced compared to the model without
the BRB system. The moments and shears in the core wall were also reduced remarkably.
10.3. West Super Block The Suites
The building is expected to remain serviceable under SLE. The building system comprises BRBs and
isolated flag walls throughout the building height.
After incorporating BRBs in the model, story drifts and displacements fall within limits.
Coupling beam rotations were within limits and shear reinforcements were enhanced. Columns to remain
elastic under MCE. Flexural and shear capacity of the retaining wall were sufficient under MCE.
Diaphragm in Tower and Podium were checked and appropriate collector and shear friction
reinforcements were provided.

11. Findings
The Buckling Restrained Brace system was used as the primary lateral force system of the mentioned projects in
the Philippines. The design and application of Buckling Retrained Braces were initiated into local structural
engineering practice. However, codes do not have specific guidelines for irregular building with dampers such as
BRBs. Moreover, codes are written for low and medium size building where responses are dominated by traditional
first mode.
Code-Based Design approach is simply not sufficient in predicting the actual behavior of the building especially
those with BRBs. Therefore, in using similar energy dissipating devices, it is imperative to use Performance-Based
Design approach in order to properly assess building response and performance when subjected to multiple seismic
events.

References
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