An experimental investigation of the behaviour of EBFs

Abstract

In the present work, the results of a number of experiments carried out on single-span, single-storey eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) have been reported. Full-scale braced frames have been tested in order to investigate the overall behaviour of EBFs, consisting of the link beam, bracing members and columns. The effects of connections, bracing members and their interaction to the behaviour of the link beam have been taken into consideration. I-Profile Européenes (IPE) sections to DIN-1025 have been used as the link beams of the test specimens in order to investigate their competence for use as link beams of EBFs. At the same time, the effects of the distances between the web stiffeners in such shear links as well as the distances between their lateral supports have been addressed. It has been shown that the IPE sections may be used as link beams of the EBFs to achieve the expected performance with the appropriate provision of lateral supports and web stiffeners. Attention has also been paid to the ductility capacity and the observed modes of failure, in relation to their effects on the energy absorption capability of the system owing to premature buckling or fracture of the members and connections. The observed behaviour of the test specimens has been demonstrated clearly and some subject matters of interest have been discussed and some aspects of the existing seismic design provisions for the EBFs have been assessed.