STEEL BRACED FRAMES INSIDE RC FRAMES THROUGH A NEW HYBRID CONNECTION TECHNIQUE

Adding a steel braced frame to an existing reinforced concrete (RC) frame is a method of increasing the lateral capacity and stiffness of frames. The concern of this method is to provide an economic and convenient connection system in order to enable the shear force transfer between the steel frame and existing RC frame. In this paper, a new method of connection called hybrid connection is proposed. From results of experiments, the shear failure of RC columns can be prevented, and lateral capacity and ductility enhance. The shear failures of RC columns are prevented because the columns are jacketed with plain steel plates, and PC bars (high strength steel bars). Therefore, not only lateral capacity and stiffness increase, but also ductility of the RC frame improves.

Keywords:

seismic retrofit , steel braced frame , hybrid connection , steel plate , PC bar