Steel eccentrically braced frames are expected to sustain damage during a design level earthquake through repeated inelastic deformation of the active link.
Steel eccentrically braced frames are expected to sustain damage during a design level earthquake through repeated inelastic deformation of the active link. A method for assessment of the extent of inelastic strain in the active link is currently being developed. Repair is therefore expected to be costly and disruptive, even if the structure has met its goal of providing life safety during an earthquake. The replaceable or removable active link concept addresses these drawbacks. It allows for quick inspection and replacement of damaged links following a major earthquake, significantly minimising the disruption of the structure. The development, research, design methodology and detailing considerations of eccentrically braced frames with removable links are covered in Steel Advisor articles EQK1005 and EQK1006 (the former is in preparation at the time of writing this article). This article illustrates the application of the proposed eccentrically braced frame with removable link design procedure by way of a design example. Understanding of the design of conventional eccentrically braced frames has been assumed. For those not familiar with the seismic behaviour and design of eccentrically braced frames reference should be made to HERA Report R4-76.
Kevin Cowie; Alistair Fussell
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