Analysis of the Lateral Thrust in Bolted Steel Buckling-Restrained Braces. II: Engineering Analytical Estimates

Abstract

Part I of this work was concerned with the experimental and numerical analysis of the lateral force, or thrust, exerted by the inner core of a buckling-restrained brace (BRB) when, after buckling in compression, it arrives into contact with the external retaining case. As Part II of that study, this paper considers the case of a steel-bolted BRB, with an empty gap between core and containment struts, to attempt the derivation of engineering analytical expressions for such a thrust. It is found that the relationship between applied axial force and buckled wavelength does not obey Euler’s formula.