Comparative Investigation on the Seismic Performance of a Benchmark Steel Frame with Different Bracing Systems

Buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) and self-centering buckling-restrained braces (SC-BRBs) have been verified as novel energy dissipation bracing systems. This paper conducted a comparative investigation on the seismic-resisting performance of a Benchmark steel frame with these two types of bracing systems using the finite element analysis software OpenSEES. The analysis demonstrated that, in the equal-strength design principle, the SC-BRB frame results in weaker energy dissipation, bigger story drifts, and more evenly distributed story drifts along the building height compared to BRB frame. The residual deformations of SC-BRB frame under strong earthquakes are significantly smaller than the pure frame as well as BRB frame, but the maximum axial bracing force and floor accelerations are increased significantly for SC-BRB frame.