Energy Dissipation Performance of Braced Moment Frames Focusing on Beam End Fracture

Abstract

When braced moment frames are subjected to a strong ground motion, the bracing elements are likely to fracture. Such fracture results in a large cumulative plastic deformation at the beam end which leads to the connection failure. The authors have proposed a method to assess the brace and beam end fracture using time history response analysis without micro element FEM. However, this method does not take the beam end joint efficiency into account. In this study, the effect of the joint efficiency on the cumulative deformation capacity of the beam end is investigated. Using those results, the seismic performance of the braced moment frame is analyzed including the fracture of brace members and beam ends.