Strap Tension only Bracing

在低层钢结构中，建筑物的横向支撑通常由垂直支撑系统提供。 在地震期间，支撑通过非弹性变形帮助耗散能量。 当通过拉伸和压缩循环时，塑性铰可在支撑和连接中形成。 这些铰链的形成导致应变局部化，加速了支撑系统的失效。 代替使用设计成避免扭结和连接断裂的粗壮支撑，可以使用弹性屈曲的非常柔性的支撑来延迟塑性铰的形成并提高支撑系统的延性。 一个非常灵活的支撑可以用一个大的细长比的钢带来构造。 到目前为止，还没有进行彻底的研究，探索使用钢带作为一个非常灵活的支撑。 本研究计画将以实验与数值方法，探讨不同支撑/连接配置之钢带支撑在循环荷载下之性能。 将推荐低层钢框架建筑物的钢带支撑/连接设计指南。 本研究的结果可能会导致大量的地震前和地震后的成本节省低层钢框架建筑使用柔性钢带作为支撑。

In a low-rise steel structure, the lateral support of the building is normally provided by vertical bracing system.  During an earthquake, the brace helps dissipate the energy through inelastic deformation.  When cycling through tension and compression, plastic hinges can form in the brace and the connection.  The formation of these hinges leads to strain localization that accelerates the failure of the bracing system.  Instead of using stocky braces designed to avoid kinking and connection fracture, very flexible braces that buckle elastically can be used to delay the formation of plastic hinge and improve the ductility of the bracing system.  A very flexible brace can be constructed with a steel strap that has a large slenderness ratio.  So far, no thorough study has been carried out to explore the usage of a steel strap as a very flexible brace.  This research project will investigate the performance of various brace/connection configurations of steel strap braces experimentally and numerically under cyclic loading.  Guidelines on the steel strap brace/connection design for low-rise steel framed buildings will be recommended.  Results of this research may lead to large pre- and post-earthquake cost savings in low-rise steel framed buildings by using flexible steel straps as braces.