Splice Connection Details for Eccentrically Braced Frame Replaceable Links

Abstract

Eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) can be used as a lateral load resisting system in seismic prone regions. A typical EBF consists of links, beams, columns and braces. Links are the fuse members providing energy dissipation during an earthquake. After a seismic event, damaged links need to be replaced with the new ones to recover initial stiffness and ductility of the structure. A comprehensive experimental research program has been undertaken to develop new replaceable link details. One of the proposed details is based on splicing the beam outside of the link and braces. In this type of a replaceable link, both the bearing type and slip critical type connections can be employed with different levels of bolt pretension. Four nearly full scale EBFs with replaceable links were tested to study the effect of the type of connection and gap size adopted in splice connections. The results indicate that both the bearing and slip critical type of connections can be employed for the splice connections if the bolts are fully pre‐tensioned and frictional faying surfaces are provided.