Analytical Evaluation of K‐Braced Structure Seismic Test

Abstract

This paper compares analytical predictions with a series of full‐scale seismic tests on a concentrically K‐braced six‐story steel structure. A computer program for the inelastic frame analysis is used to calculate the dynamic response of the test structure, in which the degrading hysteresis rule is applied to the postbuckling brace model. From a comparison of the analytical and experimental results, it is concluded that the overall and local behavior of the full‐scale test structure subjected to simulated earthquakes can be reasonably well represented by using the implemented model and analytical method. It should, however, be noted that the overall hysteresis behavior and the damage distribution of the K‐braced structure are very sensitive to the differences in the hysteresis characteristics of each bracing member. A simple analysis with a lumped mass shear‐type model is also conducted to compare the responses between this design‐level analysis and the experimental results.