Seismic retrofit in building structures using shape memory alloys

The shape memory alloys have limited applications in structural engineering. The high expensive value of building construction with these alloys is the main obstacle in using this material for building. In this paper, the performance of bracing with the combined shape memory alloys and steel have been studied. The seismic response of the five braced frames with bracing containing 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of shape memory alloy are determined and compared to the braced frame with steel brace. Nonlinear dynamic analysis of the frames is made with help of ANSYS V11 software under Elcentro earthquake record with maximum scaled acceleration 0.6 g and 0.9 g. The optimum value of alloy for the seismic performance improvement of braced frames has been calculated. So, the improved seismic behavior of braced frame was obtained with low cost by using method.