Cyclic Out‐of‐Plane Buckling of Double‐Angle Bracing

Abstract

The behavior of double‐angle bracing members subjected to out‐of plane buckling due to severe cyclic load reversals is investigated. Nine full‐size test specimens were subjected to severe inelastic axial deformations. Test specimens were subjected to severe inelastic axial deformations. Test specimens were made of back‐to‐back A36 steel angle sections connected to the end gusset plates by fillet welds or high‐strength bolts. Five of the test specimens were designed according to current design procedures and code requirements. These specimens experienced fracture in gusset plates and stitches during early cycles of loading. Based on the observations and analysis of the behavior of these specimens, new design procedures are proposed for improved ductility and energy dissipation capacity of double‐angle bracing members which buckle out of plane of gusset plates. Tests of four specimens, designed using proposed procedures, showed significant improvement in their performances.