Innovative Self-Centering Controlled Rocking Eccentrically BracedFrames

An innovative eccentric braced frame (EBF) system designed to rock at its base under strong seismic motion is proposed. The system consists of three major components: 1) link beams that supposed to remain elastic, 2) butterfly-shaped steel plate fuses that are vertically mounted between the foundation and the column bases to dissipate energy, 3) vertical post-tensioning (PT) strands that anchor the top of the frame down to the foundation, which brings the frame back to center. A numerical model of this self-centering controlled rocking eccentrically braced frame (SC-CR-EBF) is developed and seismic behavior of a 5-story frame is presented to demonstrate the performance of the SC-CR-EBF against common EBF. The results from a quasi-static cyclic loading shows that SC-CR-EBF exhibit excellent self-centering properties, and effectively concentrated the energy dissipation and structural damage in the replaceable fuse elements.

کلیدواژه ها:

Self-centering ، Controlled Rocking ، Eccentric Braced Frame ، Butterfly-Shaped Fuses ، Post-tensioning Strands