Generally truss frames have been designed elastically even against strong seismic forces, because of fragile characteristics led by buckling. The authors have proposed a damage tolerant design concept for truss structures using energy dissipation members at critical positions. In this paper, one of retrofit projects is proposed for steel communication towers, in which several critical members under strong seismic forces are to be replaced to Buckling Restrained Bracing Elements with an aim to save other remained fragile members from deterioration by a way of plasticizing then under the seismic forces of relatively low intensity. For this paper the original members and buckling restrained braces with various types of connections are investigated through real-size mock-up tests, and their capacities are quantitatively studied concidering the capacities of their gusset plate connections.