Dual eccentrically braced frames with removable links: experimental validation of technical solution through large-scale pseudo-dynamic testing

Conventional seismic design philosophy is based on dissipative structural response, which implicitly accepts damage of the structure under the design earthquake and leads to significant economic losses. Repair of the structure is often impeded by the permanent (residual) drifts of the structure. The repair costs and downtime of a structure hit by an earthquake can be significantly reduced by adopting removable dissipative members and providing the structure with re-centring capability. These two concepts were implemented in a dual structure, obtained by combining steel eccentrically braced frames (with removable bolted links) and moment resisting frames. The bolted links provide the energy dissipation capacity and are easily replaceable, while the more flexible moment resisting frames provide the necessary re-centring capability. The paper presents the results of a large scale experimental program on a dual eccentrically braced frame with replaceable links performed at the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA) at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra within the framework of Transnational Access of the SERIES Project. The objectives were to validate the re-centring capability of dual structures with removable dissipative members, assess overall seismic performance of dual eccentrically braced frames and obtain information on the interaction between the steel frame and the reinforced concrete slab in the link region. Pre-test numerical simulations were performed in order to assess the response of the structure under different levels of the seismic input, as well as to establish the optimal sequence of link removal and replacement. The general set-up of the experimental mock-up, instrumentation, the test sequence, and preliminary test results are presented.

STRATAN Aurel;  IOAN CHESOAN Adriana;  DUBINA Dan;  POLJANSEK Martin;  MOLINA RUIZ Francisco Javier;  PEGON Pierre;  TAUCER Fabio; 

2014-11-25

CONSPRESS

JRC92342

978-973-100-342-9,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC92342,