Design recommendations for self-centering buckling restrained braces

Abstract

Self-centering buckling-restrained braces (SC-BRBs) have typical flag-shaped hysteresis. Differing from conventional buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) which can result in significant residual drifts, the SC-BRB incorporates additional prestressing elements, so that it can recenter after earthquakes, which is critical for seismic resilience. Current seismic design procedures can be used to calculate the key properties of conventional braces (e.g. BRB), but they cannot be used to determine the additional hysteretic properties of SC-BRB braces. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the performances of SC-BRB systems and develop their design recommendations, this paper conducted a parametric study of two typical SC-BRB systems, using a 12-story steel braced frame office building. Then, the overall behavior of the SC-BRB system was compared with those of a BRB system and two self-centering energy dissipative brace systems. The selection of SC-BRB properties appeared to be a tradeoff between demands on component properties and seismic performances. The criteria for proportioning the system were suggested. Numerical results showed that, although the SC-BRB systems had smaller residual drifts than the BRB system, they generated more significant high-mode effect than the other comparable systems.