Preliminary studies into the seismic behavior ofKnee-Ring Braced Frames

A recently proposed structural system for earthquake-resistant steel structures is investigated. New seismic resisting structural system is presented investigating different stiffness related structural performance level and energy dissipation requirements simultaneously. This system, called Knee-Ring Braced Frame dissipates earthquake energy through large inelastic deformation occur within Knee and Ring elementsaccording to each one stiffness. The lateral elastic stiffness is provided by a conventional diagonal brace with at least one end connected to the knee-Ring element. As the performance of this framing system depends on the ductile behavior of the knee-Ring element, this critical element was investigated to confirm its behavior under cyclic loading. Analytical models for the web shear deflection relationship of the knee element and bending deflection of the Ring element, derived from the bilinear stress-strain relationship obtained through tensile properties, are found to predict the cyclic response with hysteresis curves of the knee-Ring element accurately. Using this analytical model and FEM analysis method, the energy dissipation characteristics of the KRBF are presented.

Preliminary studies into the seismic behavior ofKnee-Ring Braced Frames Keywords:

energy dissipation , cyclic loading , Knee-Ring braced frames , lateral stiffness