There is increasing demand, from both engineers and their clients, for structures that can be rapidly returned to occupancy following an earthquake, while also maintaining or reducing initial costs. One possible way towards this goal is to ensure that seismic damage occurs only within elements that can be removed and replaced following a damaging earthquake. For concentrically braced frames that use hollow structural sections, the current design practice requires field welding of the brace to the gusset in a way that causes the brace to buckle out-of-plane. In the event of a damaging earthquake, the out-of-plane brace buckling may damage both the gusset plate and also any adjacent exterior cladding. The plate cannot be easily replaced, resulting in expensive and time-consuming repairs, and the damaged cladding could endanger the lives of people evacuating the building and of other pedestrians. Through multiple design iterations, a new steel concentrically braced frame connection type was developed that can be bolted into place and that confines damage to replaceable components. The proposed connection is expected to result in reduced erection costs and be easier to repair following a major earthquake. Moreover, the new connection causes buckling to occur in-plane, preventing dangerous damage to the cladding. Large scale experimental testing on two variations of the new connection was performed. The cyclic, uniaxial testing of a brace with the new connection demonstrated the connection’s ability to behave in a desirable manner, with tensile yielding, brace buckling and connection rotation occurring during the expected drift levels associated with earthquake loading. A nonlinear finite element model of a brace with the new connection was developed and discussed. The finite element model was able to replicate the results of the experiment and will allow for further research and development of the new connection. The new connection shows promise as a replaceable connection for the seismic design of concentrically braced frames. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / Earthquakes can cause major, devastating damage to city structures. The cost of repairs and the time needed to make those repairs can be crippling, to the point where it is easier to tear down the structures than properly repair them. Designers and engineers need improved ways to design these structures to be more easily repaired, without driving up the initial cost of the structure. This research developed, tested and modelled a new, replaceable connection for earthquake resistant braces. The new connection is easier to install, easier to replace and provides added safety when compared to traditional designs.

Strength Reduction Factor (R-Factor), often referred to as Response Modification Factor, is commonly used in the design of lateral force resisting systems under seismic loading. R-Factors allow for a reduction in design base shear demands, leading to more economical designs. The reduction of strength is remedied with ductile behavior in members of proper detailing. Modern seismic codes and provisions recommend R-Factors for many types of lateral force resisting systems. However these factors are independent of the system fundamental frequency and many other important system properties, resulting in factors that may result in an unfavorable seismic response. To evaluate the validity of prescribed R-Factors an extensive analytical parameter study was conducted using a FEM single degree-of-freedom Concentrically Braced Frame (CBF) under incremental dynamic analysis over a suite of ground motions. Parameters of the study include brace slenderness, fundamental frequency, increment resolution, FEM mesh refinement, effects of leaning columns, and effects of low-cycle fatigue. Results suggest that R-Factor can vary drastically for CBF systems with differing properties.

Master of Science / Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science / Sutton F. Stephens / The hazards of seismic activity on building structures require that engineers continually look for new and better methods of resisting seismic forces. Buckling restrained braced frames (BRBF) are a relatively new lateral force resisting system developed to resist highly unpredictable seismic forces in a very predictable way. Generally, structures with a more ductile lateral force resisting system perform better in resisting high seismic forces than systems with more rigid, brittle elements. The BRBF is a more ductile frame choice than special concentrically braced frames (SCBF). The ductility is gained through brace yielding in both compression and tension. The balanced hysteretic curve this produces provides consistent brace behavior under extreme seismic loads. However regular use of the BRB is largely limited to Japan where the brace type was first designed. The wide acceptance of buckling restrained braced frames requires the system to become easily designable, perform predictably, and common to engineers. This report explains the design process to help increase knowledge of the design and background. This report also details a comparison of a BRBF to a SCBF to give familiarity and promote confidence in the system. The design process of the BRBF is described in detail with design calculations of an example frame. The design process is from the AISC Seismic Provisions with the seismic loads calculated according to ASCE 7 equivalent lateral force procedure. The final members sizes of the BRBF and SCBF are compared based on forces and members selected. The results of the parametric study are discussed in detail.

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