Seismic Rehabilitation of Deficient Steel Braced Frames with Conventional and Innovative Retrofit Techniques

Steel concentrically braced frames (CBFs) as lateral load resisting system are common in steel construction, for their high strength and architectural versatility. However, the brace connection details have to be well designed to ensure a ductility of the frame under seismic excitation. This Master Thesis studies the behavior of a steel CBF, located in Sendai (Japan). It experienced significant damage at brace connections after the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake in Japan. They are mainly due to the eccentricity created by the single-lap gusset plates along the long duration of the imposed ground motion hazard. The seismic response of the CBF is assessed by means of nonlinear analysis with the performance-based approach according to ASCE/SEI 41-13 (2014). As the braces do not meet any performance criteria, seismic retrofit is required. Three retrofit solutions are investigated and compared. Two of them are considered as conventional solutions. They consist to replace the braces and gusset plates, once with new Chevron braces and once with new X braces. The new braces are designed with the Capacity Design rules. The third solution modifies the CBF into a Rocking Braced Frame (RBF). This innovative high-performance system allows the column bases to uplift in order to dissipate the seismic energy and localize the damages in easily replaceable fuses to protect the primary members. The retrofit works are mainly located at the column bases. Dynamic analyses of the initial frame and its retrofits are computed for a seismic input recorded during the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. The peak storey drift ratio (SDR), residual SDR and story shear forces are compared. The new Chevron CBF has the worst performance of the three retrofits. New X-bracing CBF and the RBF show a similar performance, the RBF being slightly better.