Seismically Resilient Concentrically Braced Frames with Replaceable Brace Modules

中心支撑框架是一种常见的抗震体系，因为它们具有良好的延性，并且能够满足规范规定的漂移限制。为确保延性，HSS支撑通常开槽并现场焊接到节点板上。这是昂贵的和复杂的质量控制，而且设计级地震对这种连接的破坏可能很难修复。为了解决这些问题，以前的一个合作项目开发了可更换支架模块的初始概念。对各个模块的概念验证测试表明，它们可以达到所有设计要求，分析模型显示，梁柱连接的额外灵活性不会在典型的中低层应用中造成问题。这项工作代表了该项目开发的下一步，从最初的组件测试和建模扩展到考虑在建筑框架内包含可更换的支撑模块的系统级影响。这些影响将通过麦克马斯特大学的大型物理试验进行评估。通过开发新的连接细节和提高对CBF抗震性能的理解，这项研究有望在地震区带来更安全、更经济的钢结构。这将使工业合作伙伴受益，使钢铁更具竞争力，使建筑业主受益，使建筑施工在财务上更可行，并使公众受益，使抗震设计更安全、更可靠。

Concentrically braced frames are a common seismic force resisting system because of their good ductility, together with their ability to meet code-mandated drift limits. To ensure 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.To address these issues, a previous collaborative project developed an initial concept for a replaceable brace module. Proof-of-concept testing of the individual modules showed that they could achieve all of the design requirements, and analytical modelling showed that the additional flexibility at beam-column connections would not create problems in typical low- to mid-rise applications.This work represents the next step in the development of this project, extending from the original component testing and modelling to consider the system-level effects of including replaceable brace modules within a building frame. These effects will be evaluated through large-scale physical testing at McMaster University.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.