Study of all-steel-web restrained buckling -restrained brace under cyclic loading

Articles in Press

Authors

1 Civil engineering faculty, Islamic Azad University, Marageh branch, Tabriz, Iran

2 Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University

10.22034/ceej.2025.62835.2377

Abstract

This study examines the cyclic behavior and seismic performance of an all-steel-web buckling-restrained brace (BRB). Initially, a numerical model of the BRB was developed using ABAQUS software and validated against experimental results, demonstrating good agreement. The brace was subjected to a cyclic loading protocol based on AISC 341-10 standards. Following validation, parametric studies were conducted to investigate the effects of two key parameters: the thickness of the steel core and the friction coefficient between the core and the surrounding steel encasing. Results from the nonlinear static analyses revealed that both parameters significantly influence brace performance. Increasing the steel core thickness and the friction coefficient enhances the ultimate strength of the brace. However, a higher friction coefficient adversely affects ductility and energy dissipation capacity. Notably, buckling initiation was observed at a friction coefficient of 0.4, indicating a critical threshold beyond which performance may degrade. In the second phase of the study, the seismic performance of a four-story frame equipped with BRBs was evaluated using Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA). The results showed that frames with conventional bracing systems tend to collapse under lower spectral acceleration levels, while those equipped with BRBs demonstrated higher collapse capacities. The IDA curves of BRB-equipped frames exhibited a consistent upward trend, confirming the superior seismic resilience provided by BRBs.

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Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 17 August 2025

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