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Keywords: Steel; Buckling restrained-braces (BRBs); Metallic dampers, Ductility; Hysteretic behavior; Testing.
Abstract. This paper presents the results obtained from cyclic tests of two identical, almost full-scale
buckling restrained braces (BRBs). Fabrication of gusset plates, data of material properties and
detailed drawings were provided by the producer. Two specimens (labeled as BRB-1 and BRB-2) with
large diameter pinned end connections, and having rectangular core plates with S235-SSE grade
steel were used in the tests. Quasi-static reversed cyclic loading tests were carried out. A
displacement loading protocol proposed by the Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings,
AISC 341-10 was used for both of the BRBs considered herein. Tested BRBs exhibited satisfactory
performance (without buckling) under the assumed loading history (i.e. the AISC loading protocol).
Experimental results show that the BRB specimens reached a maximum drift of 2.74% that
corresponds to a lateral displacement of 51.00mm, while no fractures in the welds or any sign of local
or global instability were observed. Equivalent damping ratios (effb) were obtained as 47.49% and
44.68% for BRB-1 and BRB-2, respectively.
1 INTRODUCTION
Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs), being a sort of metallic damper, display a balanced
hysteretic behavior by axial yielding under reversed cyclic tension and compression forces and
dissipate significant amount of seismic energy during major earthquakes. Approximate
symmetric and robust behavior of BRBs under tension and compression forces and their
feature of not causing any degradation in terms of stiffness and strength as well as obtaining
stable hysteretic curves expand their application areas. Furthermore, when compared to other
Celik O.C. et al.
alternative seismic energy dissipation systems, BRBs have several advantages such as easy
replacement following an earthquake (if needed), preventing damages in the other structural
members, easy fabrication and construction with relatively low cost, simple end connection
details, etc. Many experimental and numerical studies have been conducted to promote the
application of the different types of BRBs. For example, Sabelli et al. [1] analytically
investigated the seismic response of BRB frames (BRBFs) considering a number of important
parameters, such as ground motion characteristics and the structural configuration. Fahnestock
et al. [2] addressed global and local ductility demands of BRBFs by nonlinear time-history
analyses, which were compared with BRBF Recommended Provisions. Later, numerical and
experimental simulations of a large-scale BRBF were given by Fahnestock et al. [3,4].
Besides, a series of pseudo dynamic tests of a full-scale, three-story, three-bay BRBFs using
concrete-filled tube columns was performed by Tsai et al [5,6]. Takeuchi et al. [7,8] proposed
a simple method for predicting the cumulative deformation and energy absorption capacities
of BRBs under random amplitudes. Usami et al. [9] studied buckling prevention condition
with a series of well-controlled experiments. Vargas and Bruneau [10,11] proposed an
alternative design approach for systems with metallic fuses. An experimental work was also
conducted on a three-story frame designed with BRBs to verify the proposed design
procedure. To clarify the requirements of high-performance BRBs for the damage controlled
seismic design of steel bridges, a series of performance tests and analyses are carried out by
Usami et al. [12]. Celik and Bruneau [13,14] analytically investigated the best geometrical
layout to maximize the dissipated hysteretic energy in ductile diaphragms with BRBs end
diaphragms in straight and skewed steel bridges. Component tests were conducted by Zhao et
al. [15] to address the effect of brace end rotation on the global buckling behavior of pin-
connected BRBs with end collars. To increase the efficiency of BRBFs, a novel connection
where the gusset is only connected to the beam and is offset from the column face is proposed
and tested in a three-story frame under quasi-static loading by Berman and Bruneau [16].
Palazzo et al. [17] and Tsai et al. [18] proposed new types and configurations for steel BRBs.
All of these researches have sped up the application of steel BRBs in buildings and bridges.
Mostly, the concepts of BRBs published or applied for patents are essentially similar and the
BRB’s core brace member is mostly manufactured of steel owing to its great hysteretic
performance. A total of 8 BRB types (named as TURKBRACE BRB), 4 as preliminary/pilot
studies, 2 with steel core and outer steel tube, 2 with aluminum alloy core and aluminum alloy
outer tube having the same yield strength and simple end connection details were developed,
designed, manufactured, and tested under cyclic displacement histories by Avci-Karatas [19],
Avci-Karatas and Celik [20]. Based on an experimental work, Haydaroglu et al. [21]
investigated the hysteretic behavior and energy dissipation capacities of classical tube and
BRBs.
This paper focuses on the cyclic testing of two identical BRBs (BRB-1 and BRB-2) with
pinned end connections provided by a producer [22]. Fabrication of gusset plates, database of
material properties (coupon tests) for testing the BRBs, and detailed drawings were provided
by the producer. BRBs with steel core and steel outer tube having the same yield strength and
simple edge details were designed and fabricated to achieve the same yield strength for a
better comparison of their cyclic performance.
Quasi-static reversed cyclic loading tests were carried out in Structural and Earthquake
Engineering Laboratory (STEEL) at Istanbul Technical University (ITU).
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2 EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
(a)
(b)
Figure 1: (a) General view of test set-up for specimens; (b) Overall view from the specimen prior to
testing.
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A displacement loading protocol proposed by the Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel
Buildings, AISC 341-10 [23] was used for the tests and the specimens were subjected to
reversed cyclic quasi-static loading. Instrumentation for the experiments has been designed to
measure global response of the steel test set-up and local performance of BRBs.
Displacement-controlled testing was carried out via LVDTs mounted on the column face at
the nearest position of actuator. Strain-gauges and several LVDTs were installed at critical
points of the set-up. The LVDT and strain-gauge layout were identical for both specimens.
The specimens were tested at a 38-degree diagonal bracing configuration with the steel
foundation beam. Several LVDTs were used to monitor accidental movement of the frame
with respect to strong floor (e.g. at the mid-point of the column, on the gusset plates and the
foundation beam). The restoring force was measured by a load cell installed in the actuator.
Outer tubes were instrumented by twelve strain-gauges on each face of the tube at the
midpoint and end points. Additionally, four strain-gauges were installed on the gusset plates
to trace the gusset behavior. No strain-gauges were attached on the beam and column, since
these were designed to remain elastic at the maximum applied load. In previous BRB tests,
under the maximum actuator load, the recorded strains on the beam and column were well
below the yield values.
2.3 Specimens
Almost full-scale BRBs specimens use rectangular steel plates (15mmx30mm) as the core
material made of S235-SSE steel. The geometrical parameters are summarized in Table 1.
Length and width of the yielding portion of the brace are denoted by Lysc and bysc,
respectively. Likewise, Lcon and bcon, are the length and width of the connection portion. The
transition zone has a length of Ltr and a width of btr. t is the thickness of the cores. Total
lengths of the BRBs are limited to 2270mm due to geometric properties of the test set-up.
Cross-section of the steel outer tubes was fabricated as 160mmx160mmx6mm.
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As stated before, the specimens were designed with pinned end connections. Using such a
pin connection detail at the gusset plate isolates the brace from any moment or shear that
could be transmitted as a result of frame drift. Also, by directly connecting the brace to the
gusset by using a pin, the overall connection length is reduced (when compared to multi-
bolted or welded end connections), resulting in a longer yield length for the core that helps
reduce the axial strain. The pin also reduces the number of pieces to be connected. The collar
assembly adds to the overall stability of the brace by preventing out-of-plane buckling of the
core section extending beyond the confining shell. The collar can also eliminate the need to
add stiffeners to gusset plates for preventing local buckling. If a collar were not in place, the
section of the core that extends beyond the confining HSS could buckle and rotate. The use of
pin and collar assembly also allows the use of multiple braces (i.e. combined braces) together
to make large capacity braces. Since the connection is only through the single pin, the
connection and gusset length is greatly reduced. Braces using pinned connections can be
easily removed and replaced after a design level or higher earthquake. The construction
tolerances of a true pinned connection, however, can be very stringent and may create
difficulty placing the bracing members during erection.
According to AISC 341-10 [23], the axial yield strength of BRBs, Pysc, shall be determined
per Eq. (1):
where and are the compression and tension strength adjustment factors, respectively,
Ry is the ratio of the expected yield stress to the specified minimum yield stress, Fysc is the
specified actual yield stress of the core as determined from the coupon test, and Asc is the net
area of the core. The strain-hardening adjustment factor, , is calculated as the ratio of the
maximum tension force (Tmax) measured from the qualification tests to the yield force, Pysc, of
the test specimen. The compression strength adjustment factor, , is calculated as ratio of the
maximum compression force (Pmax) to the maximum tension force of the test specimen. It is
noted that the value of is dependent on the core plate yield-to-tensile strength ratio. The 1.3
limit proposed in AISC 341-10 is essentially a limitation on . Currently available braces
should be able to satisfy this requirement. In this paper, the numerical value of , at the point
of maximum expected deformation, was determined as 1.3 per AISC 341-10. Using the strain-
hardening properties of coupons, was determined as 1.53. Also, Ry was taken as 1.1 from
AISC 341-10 Table I-6-1. Maximum displacement ductility of brace, max was calculated as
the ratio of maximum inelastic displacement, u, to the yield displacement, by.
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was taken as the displacement control parameter. AISC loading protocol used for the
specimens is depicted in Figure 2. Note that vertical axis is normalized with respect to first
axial yielding deformation of BRB, by. The calculation of by was based on the deformation
expected over the length L1, which is the pin-to-pin distance of the core plate. The following
loading sequence for the elastic cycles was applied to the specimens, where the deformation is
the axial deformation of the core plate:
2 cycles of the loading at the elastic deformation corresponding to 1/4by,
2 cycles of the loading at the elastic deformation corresponding to 2/4by,
2 cycles of the loading at the elastic deformation corresponding to 3/4by
Table 2 presents the details of loading sequence for the inelastic range cycles according to
the proposed provision. Shaded rows were not used for the tested BRBs. Testing was
terminated at 10by displacement level since the braces fractured.
Yield values of forces and displacements were analytically estimated by static pushover
analyses, and were used to initially control the tests. However, the experimentally obtained
values were used as test control parameters beyond the elastic range. For both specimens, load
was firstly applied to have a lateral load producing tension in the brace. Both tests were
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performed until the brace fractured. Using experimental hystereses, some behavioral
characteristics of the specimens such as the maximum strength in tension and compression
cycles, cumulative inelastic deformation, Eh cumulative hysteretic energy dissipation, and
effb hysteretic damping values are computed and compared.
(b)
(a)
(d)
(c)
Figure 3: Experimental hysteretic curves and predicted pushover curves for specimens:
(a) Hysteresis of BRB-1; (b) View from the test of BRB-1; (c) Hysteresis of BRB-2;
(d) View from the test of BRB-2.
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3.3 Dissipated hysteretic energy, equivalent damping ratios, and effective stiffness
For any cycle, total area under the experimentally obtained hysteretic curve gives the
dissipated energy through inelastic behavior. This is especially important in evaluation of
seismic effectiveness of BRBs. Behavioral characteristics of the specimens are quantified with
an emphasis on hysteretic energy dissipation. Since the cumulative energy dissipation is a
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useful measure of the seismic efficiency of a structural system, these values were calculated,
and the variation of cumulative energy dissipation with cumulative number of cycles is plotted
in Figure 4. As clearly seen from this figure, the amount of dissipated energy at each cyclic
loop increases with the increase in the lateral displacements. The maximum cumulative
hysteretic energy Eh, occurred at Cycle 30 for BRB-1, and Cycle 29 for BRB-2, respectively.
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Figure 5: Experimental bilinear force-displacement models for BRB-1 (a) and BRB-2 (b).
4 CONCLUSIONS
The following results can be drawn from this experimental work:
BRB-1 and BRB-2 with simple pinned end connection details, performed very well
under the Standard Loading Protocol, and no premature fracture, brace instability or
brace end connection failures were observed. Both tests showed that, in general, the
devices performed properly, without relevant shear stress transfer to the casing and
with stable hysteretic behavior. Plots showing the applied load versus lateral
displacement revealed stable, repeatable behavior with positive incremental stiffness.
Relatively symmetrical hysteretic curves are obtained in BRBs.
For all displacement cycles greater than the yield displacement, by, the maximum
tension and compression forces were not less than the nominal brace yield force, Pysc.
For inelastic cycle at 10by, in both specimens, the ratio of maximum compression
force to the maximum tension force (i.e. ) exceeded 1.3 in BRB-1 and BRB-2,
respectively. Maximum values were obtained as 1.43 (10% larger) for BRB-1 and
1.32 (1.5% larger) for BRB-2.
The highest compression adjustment factor at the design displacement level was
obtained as =1.43 in BRB-1. Also, the reached maximum tension and compression
capacities are +161.55kN and -230.59kN, respectively. The highest tension adjustment
factor was obtained as =1.64 in BRB-2. For BRB-2, the reached maximum tension
and compression capacities are +159.52kN and -211.09kN, respectively.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research was supported by Star Seismic EuropeTM. BRBs, steel gusset plates and pins
were produced by Star Seismic EuropeTM. Technical assistance from the staff at Istanbul
Technical University, Structural and Earthquake Engineering Laboratory (ITU-STEEL) is
gratefully acknowledged and appreciated. However, any opinions, findings, conclusions, and
recommendations presented in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the supports.
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