EFFECTIVE CONCENTRATEDLY PLACED BRACING FOR BASE-ISOLATED STEEL BUILDINGS WITH BUCKLING RESTRAINED BRACES

Abstract

Buckling restrained braces are among the most effective seismic-resisting structural members. This study focused on the feasibility of using buckling restrained braces for base-isolated steel buildings with long-span girders. A series of analyses were conducted to characterize the seismic response of base-isolated steel building structures reinforced by concentratedly placed K-bracings with ordinary or buckling restrained braces. Buckling restrained braces were shown to reduce not only the lateral deformation of the buildings but also the tensile force acting on rubber bearings of isolators.