6. Experimental Study of All-Steel Buckling-Restrained Braces Under Cyclic Loading

Buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) are the type of braces which capable of yielding in tension and compression under cyclic loading. BRBs provide the nearly symmetrical hysteretic response under cyclic loading and higher energy dissipation. Though the all-steel BRBs are considered as cost-effective and light-weight, the main parameters influence their cyclic performance are the flexibility of steel restraining elements, friction between core the restrainers, and interlocking mechanism. In this study, the cyclic performance of all-steel BRBs (ABRB) with angle restrainers has been investigated experimentally. Two reduced-scale ABRB specimens with and without welded stiffeners are tested under cyclic displacements in accordance with AISC 341-10 (2010) provisions Both specimens are subjected to axial strain of 3.5%. The main parameters studied are hysteretic response, energy dissipation response, and displacement ductility. A finite element model has also been developed to predict the cyclic response of ABRB specimens and to compare the experimental results.