Seismic performance of steel concentrically braced frames

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Concentrically braced frames (CBFs) are a common seismic force resisting system because of their good ductility, together with their ability to meet code-mandated drift limits. To ensure this ductility, the HSS brace is commonly slotted and field welded to the gusset plate. This is expensive and complicates quality control, and the damage to this connection from a design-level earthquake is likely to be difficult to repair. Moreover, despite advances in the numerical simulation of CBFs under seismic loads, there remains a need for further numerical modelling in order to accurately quantify the global behaviour of steel concentrically braced frames during earthquakes. This research project will address the twin issues of local connection design and global numerical modelling of steel CBFs. In collaboration with the industry, a proposed alternative connection detail will be developed further and validated experimentally. Based on the results of these tests, design guidelines will be developed to aid practicing engineers. In addition, advanced numerical analyses of the global seismic behaviour of CBFs will be conducted in order to determine the effects of the proposed connection on the ability of CBFs to resist collapse under seismic demands. By developing a new connection detail and improving the understanding of the seismic performance of CBFs, this research is expected to lead to safer and more economical steel structures in seismic areas. This will benefit the industrial partners by making steel more competitive, it will benefit building owners by making building construction more financially viable, and it will benefit the public by enabling safer and more reliable seismic design.