Seismic performance of re-centring dual eccentrically braced frames with removable links

Abstract

The thesis research aims at reducing the repair costs and downtime of a structure hit by an earthquake, and consequently more rational design approach in the context of sustainability. These objectives are attained through removable dissipative members and re-centring capability of the structure. The concepts of removable dissipative members and re-centring capability are implemented in a dual structure, obtained by combining steel eccentrically braced frames with removable bolted links with moment resisting frames. The bolted links are intended to provide the energy dissipation capacity and to be easily replaceable, while the more flexible moment resisting frames would provide the necessary re-centring capability to the structure. The columns are realised from high strength steel, in order to keep these members in the elastic range even under strong seismic input. The test structure was designed according to European codes and was numerically investigated. The validation of re-centring capability and link replacement procedure in a dual eccentrically braced structure, together with assessing its seismic performance, was realised through pseudodynamic tests of the full-scale experimental specimen performed at the European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA) facility at Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy, where access was granted by FP7 SERIES Project „Full-scale experimental validation of dual eccentrically braced frame with removable links” (DUAREM). Other structural configurations of dual eccentrically braced frames with removable links were analysed in order to extend the experimental specimen behaviour to more general, current practice structures.