Damage Assessment of Buckling-Restrained BraceFrames (BRBFs) with Damage Indices

Structures are now being stabilized against seismic forces by using new structural techniques. Buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) are used as one of the lateral bracing systems in structures due to their relatively symmetrical performance, high stiffness, and appropriate behavior in earthquakes. In this research, three damage indices of ductility, energy, and Niu & Ren (combination of ductility and energy) were used to evaluate the damage of frames with BRBs. Therefore, two-dimensional frames with ۶ and ۱۲ story under ۳ records were subjected to time history analysis. Following the analysis of its time history and section characteristics, each brace is assessed for damage according to all three damage indicators, as well as a general damage index. Finally, the results of each index were compared. The results show that the frames with BRB have an acceptable performance based on the ductility damage and Niu & Ren damage indices.

Keywords:

Buckling-restrained brace , ductility , damage index , damage assessment.