Assessment of stiffener spacing design requirements for intermediate EBF links via nonlinear finite element analysis

Links in eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) with intermediate length are designed with transverse web stiffeners. Web stiffening is required because the common failure modes are associated with web buckling as well as flange and lateral torsional buckling. Current design stiffener spacing requirements for intermediate length have been based on preliminary work that dates back to early 1990s. This paper assesses, through nonlinear continuum finite element analyses, the stiffener spacing design requirements per AISC- 341-16 of intermediate length EBF links.