Experimental and analytical evaluation of chevron braces with slotted brace-to-beam connections

摘要

This paper describes the experimental phase of a research project on the seismic performance of a special type of chevron bracing system with vertically slotted brace-to-beam connections, and briefly highlights the start of the analytical modeling phase that followed. The concept behind this design detail is that the vertical slotted connection (VSC) provides only horizontal load transfer from the bracing to the beam, thereby mitigating the negative effects of conventional chevron frames on the floor beam above and entire gravity resisting system. Full-scale tests were conducted at the University of British Columbia to investigate the behaviour of the proposed system under quasi-static cyclic loading conditions and to assess the suitability of the VSC chevron braced frame as a lateral load resisting system for high-risk seismic zones. Both specimens showed a stable, predictable response during the testing and exhibited favourable hysteretic behaviour. The objective of the analytical study was to create a computer model that would predict the response of the VSC system when subjected to a range of input earthquake excitations.