Abstract
A new type of BRB named RP-BRB (Rippled Plate Buckling Restrained Brace) is investigated. The core member of RP-BRB is a rippled plate instead of flat plate in BRB. Compared to BRRP which was studied previoulsy, RP-BRBs possess long and multiple-wave core members. Thus special care must be given to prevent the unstable load-deformation characteristics due to local/overall buckling of the core members as well as friction effects between the core member and the restraining members.
In this study, RP-BRB specimens with two special devices are tested: 1) a pair of projecting bars bolted to both sides along the core member (the guide series test) , and 2) semi-cylindrical shape spacers set inside the ripples (the space series test). Cyclic loading tests are carried out using test specimens possessing various numbers of either the projecting bars or the spacers. Then loading and deformation capacities, hysteretic characteristics, local strains occurred in the core members are examined and the efficiency of using the special devices is demonstrated. Moreover, material properties of the rippled core plate are determined from tensile tests, and its validity is confirmed by comparison between the analysis and test.
