Seismic Performance of Braced Ductile Shear Panel

Abstract

Bracing is important as it gives a structure adequate architectural aesthetics and mechanical flexibility compared to wall systems. These bracings also provide better performance during an earthquake. The addition of shear panels to these bracings can prevent damage to neighbouring steel columns or beams, improve the performance of traditional concentric steel braces under compression and buckling, and eliminate fracture failure of steel braces subjected to multiple loads. As a result, the entire buckling of the bracing system is transmitted to the shear panel’s plastic shear deformation. This thin shear panel and concentric X-braces combine to form the braced ductile shear panel (BDSP) system. To enhance the structure’s lateral strength and energy dissipation capacity stiffening ribs are also attached to the shear panel. This BDSP system is connected to the surrounding steel parts using plate hinges, which can be removed after a strong earthquake if it gets damaged. This removable BDSP component provides lateral rigidity to the structure and thus restricts lateral inter-storey drift and maintains reasonable energy dissipation. This study focus on the performance of braced ductile shear panel systems with a different arrangement of stiffening ribs keeping the material density constant. The performance is evaluated by pushover analysis using the ANSYS software. The test results of the study showed the BDSP system with stiffening ribs located at multiple positions is better than that provided at a single position.