INFLUENCE OF SEMI-RIGID CONNECTIONS ON THE SEISMIC BEHAVIOUR OF BRACED FRAMES WITH BUCKLING RESTRAINED BRACES

摘要

This paper investigates the influence of semi-rigid connections on the seismic performance of braced frames with buckling restrained braces. The buckling restrained braced frames are designed according to a procedure recently proposed by the authors while the beams and the columns of the other frames are designed to sustain gravity loads. The obtained frames are analysed by nonlinear dynamic analysis by means of the OpenSees computer program. To assess the influence of different types of connections on the response of the structure, each frame is analysed assuming different values of the stiffness of the semi-rigid connections at the ends of the beams and at the base of the first storey columns. The seismic performance of the frames is compared in terms of heightwise distribution of the ductility demand-to-capacity ratio of BRBs and in terms of strength demand-to-capacity ratio of non-dissipative members.