BLAST LOADING EFFECT ON CHEVRON TYPE BUCKLING RESTRAINED BRACED FRAMES

Abstract

Buckling Restrained Braced Frames (BRBF) are being used all over the world as a seismic force resisting system in building structures. BRBFs are used due to their high ductility after yielding and the ability to absorb energy. Currently, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) permits the use of BRBFs as a single seismic force-resisting system by quantifying the seismic parameters such as Response Modification Coefficient (R), Over-strength Factor (Ωo) and Deflection Amplification Factor (Cd) in their latest code ASCE 7-16. The purpose of this research is to investigate how a structure built with BRBF to resist seismic forces behaves when subjected to blast loading. In other words, this paper focuses on the effect of blast loading on Buckling Restrained Braced Frames. The investigation is carried out on a Chevron type braced frame. The frame is subjected to a short duration blast loading that lasts only 21.7 mili-second (ms). Blast loading effects on the braced frame are assessed by identifying the weakest plane of failure, deformation characteristics and out of plane bending. The research also investigates the effect of brace core thickness on resisting blast loading. It is observed that the brace core thickness plays a significant role in reducing the deformation characteristics.