Abstract
An experimetal study was conducted on the hysteretic behavior of a K-type braced frame. Five specimens were subjected to repeated horizontal load. The specimen was made of steel plates by welding and each member had a rectangular cross section. The experimental results provided following conclusions. 1) Braces in K-type braced frame rarely experience elongations, and braces do not function well as the tension member. 2) The hystretic proeprty of the system much depends on the elastic-plastic behavior of the beam. The development of plastic deformation of the beam causes the severe deterioration of hysteresis loops. 3) If the brace is rather stubby, for example λ≃30, large plastic deformation of the beam may be caused by the repeated loading. Conversely, if the brace is rather slender, for example λ≃80, the deterioration of hysteresis loops is little. 4) The system should be designed not to increase the plastic deformation of the beam under alternately repeated loading of constant displacement amplitude.
