Dynamic Response of a Chevron Concentrically Braced Frame

Large-scale shake table tests were conducted at E-Defense, Japan, to examine the dynamic response of a steel concentrically braced frame. The specimen was a single-bay, single-story frame with a pair of square hollow structural section braces placed in a chevron arrangement. The gusset plates connecting the brace to the framing elements were provided with an elliptic fold line to accommodate out-of-plane rotation of the brace in compression. The specimen was subjected repeatedly to a unidirectional ground motion with increasing magnitude until the braces buckled and eventually fractured. The bracing connections performed as intended; the gusset plates folded out of plane, and no crack was observed in the gusset plate or in the critical welds. Consequently, the test results demonstrated excellent performance of the bracing connections. Elastic deformation of the beam prevented the braces from developing their full tensile strength. Yielding in the middle of the beam, which was predicted by monotonic loading analysis, did not occur. The specimen response was reproduced by a numerical model using fiber elements. This model was able to predict the occurrence of brace buckling and fracture and thereby accurately trace the dynamic behavior of the frame. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.