Large-Scale Experimental Validation of Optimized Cast Steel Replaceable Modular Yielding Links for Eccentrically Braced Frames
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 7
Abstract
Steel eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) combine the advantages of both moment-resisting frames and concentrically braced frames and provide an attractive seismic design solution. Shear-critical replaceable links were developed about a decade ago to improve the performance, design process, construction, and postearthquake repair process in EBFs. However, replaceable shear links are still susceptible to the commonly observed limit states in EBF links such as web fracture close to web stiffeners, local buckling, and lateral torsional buckling. This paper presents the experimental validation of a new generation of optimized cast steel replaceable yielding links for use in EBFs, which address the shortcomings of conventional and fabricated replaceable links. The performance of the proposed cast steel links is investigated through nine large-scale component-level and system-level experiments, covering a range of link sizes and loading conditions, while also studying the impact of other phenomena influencing the response such as the presence of axial load, the level of axial restraint in the links and the presence of a concrete slab. The tested series of cast links demonstrated enhanced ductility levels and low-cycle fatigue life when compared to fabricated links, achieving up to 0.21 radians of link rotation under the AISC protocol used for the qualification of EBF links.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may only be provided with restrictions.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) (CRD 505341) and Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE VIP II-27058).
References
AISC. 2010. Design guide 24: Hollow structural section connections. Edited by J. Packer, D. Sherman, and M. Lecce. Chicago: AISC.
AISC. 2016. Seismic provisions for structural steel buildings. AISC 341-16. Chicago: AISC.
Armitage, R. 1983. “Development of cast node joints for offshore production platforms.” In Solidification Technology in the Foundry and Cast House—Proc., Int. Conf. Organized by the Applied Metallurgy and Metal Technology Group of the Metals Society, 385–391. Coventry, UK: Applied Metallurgy and Metal Technology Group of the Metals Society.
ASCE. 2013. Seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing buildings. ASCE-SEI 41-13. Reston, VA: ASCE.
Berman, J. W., and M. Bruneau. 2007. “Experimental validation of replaceable shear links for eccentrically braced steel frames.” Eng. Struct. 29 (8): 1929–1938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2006.10.012.
Bruneau, M., and G. MacRae. 2017. Reconstructing Christchurch: A seismic shift in building structural systems. Christchurch, New Zealand: Univ. of Canterbury.
CANAM. 2019. Steel deck catalogue, CANAM joists and steel deck, A division of CANAM group. Saint-Georges, QC, Canada: Canam Group.
CSA (Canadian Standard Association). 2019. Design of steel structures. CSA S16-19. Toronto: CSA.
Engelhardt, M. D., and E. P. Popov. 1989. “On design of eccentrically braced frames.” Earthquake Spectra 5 (3): 495–511. https://doi.org/10.1193/1.1585537.
Engelhardt, M. D., and E. P. Popov. 1992. “Experimental performance of long links in eccentrically braced frames.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 118 (11): 3067–3088. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1992)118:11(3067).
Federico, G., R. B. Fleischman, and K. M. Ward. 2012. “Buckling control of cast modular ductile bracing system for seismic-resistant steel frames.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 71 (Jun): 74–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2011.11.010.
Fleischman, R. B., X. Li, Y. Pan, and A. Sumer. 2007. “Cast modular panel zone for steel special moment frames. I: Analytical development.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 133 (10): 1393–1403. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2007)133:10(1393).
Fujimoto, M., T. Aoyagi, K. Ukai, A. Wada, and K. Saito. 1972. “Structural characteristics of eccentric k-braced frames.” Trans. Archit. Inst. Jpn. 195 (May): 39–49. https://doi.org/10.3130/aijsaxx.195.0_39.
Gray, M. G., C. Christopoulos, and J. Packer. 2014. “Cast steel yielding brace system for concentrically braced frames: Concept development and experimental validations.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 140 (4): 04013095. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000910.
Itani, A. M., S. Elfass, and B. M. Douglas. 2003. “Behavior of built-up shear links under large cyclic displacement.” Eng. J. 40 (4): 221–234.
Kasai, K., and E. P. Popov. 1986. “Cyclic web buckling control for shear link beams.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 112 (3): 505–523. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1986)112:3(505).
Kazemzadeh Azad, S., and C. Topkaya. 2017. “A review of research on steel eccentrically braced frames.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 128 (May): 53–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2016.07.032.
Lomax, K. B. 1982. “Forging and castings.” In Proc., Materials for the Process Industrial: Papers Originally Prepared for a Conf. Held in 1982, 23–24. London: Mechanical Engineering Publications.
Mansour, N., C. Christopoulos, and R. Tremblay. 2011. “Experimental and analytical investigation of tubular links for eccentrically braced frames.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 137 (10): 1141–1152. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0000350.
Martyr, R., and C. Chrstopoulos. 2018. “Applying the cyclic void growth model to assess the ultralow cycle fatigue life of steel casting.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 144 (8): 04018129. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002059.
Mortazavi, P., O. Kwon, and C. Christopoulos. 2022. “Four-element pseudodynamic hybrid simulation of a steel frame with cast steel yielding connectors under earthquake excitations.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 148 (2): 04021255. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0003232.
Mortazavi, P., E. Lee, J. Binder, M. Gray, O. Kwon, and C. Christopoulos. 2020. “Overview of an experimental program on cast-steel replaceable yielding links in eccentrically braced frames.” In Proc., 17th World Conf. on Earthquake Engineering. Sendai, Japan: Bosai/Disaster Management Expo.
Myers, A. T., A. M. Kavinde, G. G. Deierlein, and J. W. Baker. 2014. “Probabilistic formulation of the cyclic void growth model to predict ultralow cycle fatigue in structural steel.” J. Eng. Mech. 140 (6): 04014028. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0000728.
Okazaki, T., G. Arce, H. C. Ryu, and M. D. Engelhardt. 2005. “Experimental study of local buckling, overstrength, and fracture of links in eccentrically braced frames.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 131 (10): 1526–1535. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2005)131:10(1526).
Okazaki, T., and M. D. Engelhardt. 2007. “Cyclic loading behavior of EBF links constructed of ASTM A992 steel.” J. Constr. Steel Res. 63 (6): 751–765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsr.2006.08.004.
Packer, J. A., J. Wardenier, X.-L. Zhao, G. J. Van der Vegte, and Y. Kurobane. 2009. “Design guide for rectangular hollow section (RHS) joints under predominantly static loading.” In Steel and composite structures. 2nd ed. Geneva: CIDECT.
Popov, P., K. Takanashi, and C. Roeder. 1976. Structural steel bracing systems: Behavior under cyclic loading. Oakland, CA: Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.
Richards, P. W., and C. M. Uang. 2006a. “Effect of flange width-thickness ratio on eccentrically braced frames link cyclic rotation capacity.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 131 (10): 1546–1552. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2005)131:10(1546).
Richards, P. W., and C. M. Uang. 2006b. “Testing protocol for short links in eccentrically braced frames.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 132 (8): 1183–1191. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2006)132:8(1183).
Roeder, C. W., and E. P. Popov. 1978. “Eccentrically braced steel frames for earthquakes.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 104 (3).
Simulia, D. S. 2018. ABAQUS 6.13 user’s manual. Johnston, RI: Simulia.
Smith, C. M., G. G. Deierlein, and A. T. Kavinde. 2014. A stress-weighted damage model for ductile fracture initiation in structural steel under cyclic loading and generalized stress states. Stanford, CA: Stanford Univ.
Sumer, A., R. B. Fleischman, and N. J. Palmer. 2007. “Development of a cast modular connector for seismic-resistant steel moment frames. Part II: Experimental Verification.” AISC Eng. J. 44 (3): 213–231.
Tan, K., and C. Christopoulos. 2016. “Development of replaceable cast steel links for eccentrically braced frames.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 142 (10): 04016079. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001550.
Tsai, K. C., H. W. Chen, C. P. Hong, and Y. F. Su. 1993. “Design of steel triangular plate energy absorbers for seismic-resistant construction.” Earthquake Spectra 9 (3): 505–528. https://doi.org/10.1193/1.1585727.
Uang, C. M., and M. Bruneau. 2018. “State-of-the-art review on seismic design of steel structures.” J. Struct. Eng. 144 (4): 03118002. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0001973.
Zhong, C., J. Binder, O. Kwon, and C. Christopoulos. 2020. “Experimental and numerical characterization of ultralow-cycle fatigue behavior of steel casting.” ASCE J. Struct. Eng. 146 (2): 04019195. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002497.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 7 • July 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 9, 2022
Accepted: Jan 30, 2023
Published online: Apr 17, 2023
Published in print: Jul 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Sep 17, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Axial loads
- Bracing
- Buckling
- Construction engineering
- Construction methods
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Earthquake engineering
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Frames
- Geotechnical engineering
- Methodology (by type)
- Research methods (by type)
- Seismic design
- Seismic tests
- Solid mechanics
- Static loads
- Statics (mechanics)
- Steel frames
- Steel structures
- Structural dynamics
- Structural engineering
- Structural members
- Structural systems
- Structures (by type)
- Tests (by type)
- Validation
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Pedram Mortazavi, Oh-Sung Kwon, Constantin Christopoulos, Seismic Performance Assessment of Steel EBFs with Conventional and Replaceable Yielding Links Designed with ASCE 7-16, Journal of Structural Engineering, 10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-13093, 150, 5, (2024).
- Pedram Mortazavi, Justin Binder, Oh-Sung Kwon, Constantin Christopoulos, Ductility-Targeted Design of Cast Steel Replaceable Modular Yielding Links and Their Experimental Validation through Large-Scale Testing, Journal of Structural Engineering, 10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-12097, 149, 7, (2023).