Reusing & replacing performances of the AB-BRB with thin-walled concrete-infilled steel shells

Abstract

In this paper, the assembled bolt-connected buckling-restrained brace (AB-BRB) with a pair of thin-walled concrete-infilled steel shells (CSS) is experimentally analyzed, centered on the reusing & replacing performance. A total of 8 specimens were well produced according to the proposed design method, and the hysteretic performances were examined under the quasi-static loading. During the process the replacing capacities were verified based on the indicator comparison. The nonlinear simulation method was also raised based on the Abaqus software and verified with the experimental data. After several replacement tests, the hysteresis indicators showed the retention of stiffness resulting from the consecutive out-of-plane support, as well as the smooth variation tendency resulting from the multiple-wave deformation pattern. The AB-BRB property after reusing illustrated the comparable performance to the primary one, and the reduction degree was mainly related to the bolt-slippage and local concrete crushing. The simulation showed ideal agreements with the experiment result, indicating the effectiveness of the model for performance predictions. The study verified the feasibility of reusing scenarios, recommended the design revisions and provided references for further parametric analysis.