Local buckling behavior of core plate in all-steel buckling restrained braces

Abstract

This study presents the finite element analysis results of the proposed all-steel buckling restrained brace (BRB) models. The objective of the analysis is to conduct a parametric study to investigate the effect of interface detail of BRBs on local buckling behavior of the core plate. Moreover, the effects of magnitude of friction coefficient (¦I) between the core and the buckling restraining mechanism (BRM) contact, the size of gap between the core and the BRM, and the unbonding material thickness on local buckling behavior of core plate in BRBs are investigated through the finite element analysis method. Based on the results, the interface configuration, the magnitude of friction coefficient at the interface, and the size of gap could significantly affect the local buckling behavior of core plate in all-steel BRBs. However, the thickness change in unbonding material was not found to considerably affect the overall response of BRBs. Finally, an appropriate interface detail in BRBs was suggested for design purposes based on the finite element analyses results.