The Buckling Restrained Braced Frame (BRBF) is used in steel structures as a lateral load resisting system for seismic events. In typical design procedure the impact of gravity loads acting on BRBFs is neglected and the beams and columns of the structure are designed to resist all gravity loads. In actuality BRBFs are supporting portions of gravity loads acting on the structure which may be changing the overall performance of BRBFs. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of large gravity loads on BRBF performance. This is done using finite element analysis to test two different structures supporting large gravity loads. The first structure is a seven story structure consisting of different BRBF configurations; the second structure is a three story structure with all BRBFs in an eccentrically braced configuration. Each structure was modeled with applied ground motion simulations with and without gravity loads, and with gravity loads but no applied ground motion simulations. Results indicate that gravity loads have no significant impact on the overall performance of BRBFs for either structure.

Symmetrical steel moment frames that are subjected to sidesway forces due to unsymmetrical live loads will undergo sidesway. The P-delta effects on a moment frame under the influence of sidesway forces is studied. The effective length method is used for the second-order analysis specified in the American Institute Steel Construction - Load and Resistance Factor Design (AISC-LRFD). This study investigates the P-delta effects on a multi-story, multi-bay steel moment frame subjected to sidesway forces caused by various unsymmetrical live load patterns. The study focuses on the interaction of axial and bending moment in the columns. The actual response of a moment frame is estimated by amplifying the results of a first-order elastic analysis using moment magnification factors. The moment magnification factors for each story of the steel moment frame are summarized.