Experimental and analytical evaluation of different failure modes of self-centring braces

Abstract

As resilience of structures during seismic events is currently a main structural engineering topic, Low-damage self-centring braces have the potential to serve this purpose by becoming a common low-damage lateral load resisting system. These systems have the capability to provide considerable elastic stiffness, passive energy dissipation and self-centring characteristics. However, there is limited data available in the literature concerning their different failure modes and the associated design considerations. This paper summarizes the findings of the research program conducted at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and the University of Auckland (UoA) over the last four years on the performance of RSFJ low-damage self-centring brace. More specifically, the different failure modes observed in the experimental programs are classified, and a summary of the analytical formulations will be for their quantification and detection is provided. Finally, two flowcharts inclusive of the desirable hierarchical order of failure modes are proposed as a tool for the capacity design procedure by which, engineers can design the brace and the adjacent connections with respect to the intended level of shaking.