Numerical study of bracing section variations in an eccentrically braced frame

Abstract

Eccentrically Braced Frame (EBF) is a better option for the earthquake-prone country due to it having a better strength, stiffness, energy dissipation and ductility than Moment Resisting Frame (MRF) structure and more so than structures made of concrete. The structure's ductility was influenced by the cross-sectional dimension and link element of the frame. This study aims to determine the relation behavior of EBF with the varied link element and cross-sectional of bracing with the ultimate load and ductility of the structure. The analysis was done using MSC. PATRAN/NASTRAN student edition software. A total of three-link model variations, each one represents the three-link variations of EBF; short link, intermediate link, and long link. As for the cross-sectional, variation was made on the flange and web thickness of the IWF profile and web thickness of the HSS profile. The most optimum performance of the structure was determined by displacement control and static monotonic loading. The result indicates that variations in the crosssectional of bracing effects the short link EBF the most, while the intermediate and long link EBF doesn't show a significant change in terms of ultimate load. Meanwhile, ductility is not bound by the increase of bracing thickness.