Development of a Compression-Only Self-Centering Brace with Buckling-Restrained Bars for Energy Dissipation
Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 9
Abstract
A steel brace is effective to retrofit old reinforcement concrete (RC) buildings by increasing the horizontal load capacity of structures. However, concrete cracks that easily occur in the surrounding RC members under tension initiate early strength degradation, so this research aimed to develop a new self-centering brace (SCB) with the compression-only capacity such that no tension force is developed in the brace or to the adjoining RC members. Original SCBs have been developed to reduce the residual deformation of structures with a symmetrically flag-shaped hysteretic response. By altering the force transfer mechanism in the original SCB, a compression-only self-centering brace (C-SCB) can be developed under a symmetrically reversed cyclic loading, providing an alternative for the RC building retrofit. This paper first introduces the mechanics and deformation mechanism of the proposed C-SCB. A test program is then conducted on the cyclic tests of a buckling-restrained energy dissipating bar (EDB) to evaluate the energy dissipation. A 3,695-mm-long C-SCB is composed of posttensioning high-strength steel tendons, steel compression members, and buckling-restrained EDBs for the energy dissipation. The C-SCB in tests showed a good compression-only self-centering capability up to an axial displacement of 31 mm, with a maximum axial force of 1,530 kN. No damage of the steel tendons, compression members, or EDBs was found after three phase tests. Finite element analysis further validated the compression-only hysteretic response and mechanics of the C-SCB in a symmetrically reversed cyclic loading.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The research project was supported by the National Science and Technology Council (MOST 110-2221-E-002-040-MY3), Taiwan. The technician support from NCREE is appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 9 • September 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 17, 2023
Accepted: Apr 16, 2024
Published online: Jul 13, 2024
Published in print: Sep 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Dec 13, 2024
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