Design of Seismic-Resistant Steel

Building Structures
3. Concentrically Braced Frames

Prepared by:
Michael D. Engelhardt, PhD
University of Texas at Austin
Updated by:
Matthew R. Eatherton, SE, PhD
Virginia Tech
with the support of the
American Institute of Steel Construction

Version 2 – July 2019

Version 1 – March 2007
 Design of Seismic-Resistant
Steel Building Structures

1. Introduction and Basic Principles

2. Moment Resisting Frames
3. Concentrically Braced Frames
4. Eccentrically Braced Frames
5. Buckling Restrained Braced Frames
6. Special Plate Shear Walls

2
 3 - Concentrically Braced Frames

• Description and Types of Concentrically Braced

Frames
• Basic Behavior of Concentrically Braced Frames
• AISC Seismic Provisions for Special Concentrically
Braced Frames

3
 3 - Concentrically Braced Frames

• Description and Types of Concentrically Braced

Frames
• Basic Behavior of Concentrically Braced Frames
• AISC Seismic Provisions for Special Concentrically
Braced Frames

4
Concentrically Braced Frames (CBFs)
Beams, columns and braces arranged to form a vertical truss.
Resist lateral earthquake forces by truss action.

Develop ductility through inelastic action in braces.

• braces yield in tension
• braces buckle in compression

Advantages
+ high elastic stiffness

Disadvantages
- less ductile than other systems (SMFs, EBFs, BRBFs)
- reduced architectural versatility
5
Types of CBFs

Single Diagonal Inverted V- Bracing V- Bracing

X- Bracing Two Story X- Bracing

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
 3 - Concentrically Braced Frames

• Description and Types of Concentrically Braced

Frames
• Basic Behavior of Concentrically Braced Frames
• AISC Seismic Provisions for Special Concentrically
Braced Frames

14
Inelastic Response of CBFs under Earthquake Loading

15
Inelastic Response of CBFs under Earthquake Loading

Tension Brace: Yields Compression Brace: Buckles

(ductile) (nonductile)

Columns and beams: remain essentially elastic

16
Inelastic Response of CBFs under Earthquake Loading

Compression Brace (previously Tension Brace (previously in

in tension): Buckles compression): Yields
(nonductile) (ductile)

Columns and beams: remain essentially elastic

17
18
19
20
21
22
Brace Behavior Under Cyclic Axial Loading

P
Tension


Shortening Elongation

Compression


P

23
Brace Behavior Under Cyclic Axial Loading

P
1. Brace loaded in compression to peak
compression capacity (buckling).

PCR
1

24
Brace Behavior Under Cyclic Axial Loading

P
1. Brace loaded in compression to peak
compression capacity (buckling).
2. Continue loading in compression.
Compressive resistance drops rapidly.
Flexural plastic hinge forms at mid-length
(due to P-Δ moment in member).

2

PCR
1

plastic hinge

Δ P

25
Brace Behavior Under Cyclic Axial Loading

P
1. Brace loaded in compression to peak
compression capacity (buckling).
2. Continue loading in compression.
Compressive resistance drops rapidly.
Flexural plastic hinge forms at mid-length
(due to P-Δ moment in member).
3
 3. Remove load from member (P=0). Member
has permanent out-of-plane deformation.
2

PCR
1

26
Brace Behavior Under Cyclic Axial Loading

P
4 4. Brace loaded in tension to yield.
Py

3

2

PCR
1

27
Brace Behavior Under Cyclic Axial Loading

P
4 4. Brace loaded in tension to yield.
Py 5. Remove load from member (P=0).
Member still has permanent out-of-plane
deformation.

3
5

2

PCR
1

28
Brace Behavior Under Cyclic Axial Loading

P
4 4. Brace loaded in tension to yield.
Py 5. Remove load from member (P=0).
Member still has permanent out-of-plane
deformation.
6. Brace loaded in compression to peak
3
compression capacity (buckling). Peak
5
 compression capacity reduced from
previous cycle.
2
6

PCR
1

29
Brace Behavior Under Cyclic Axial Loading

P
4 4. Brace loaded in tension to yield.
Py 5. Remove load from member (P=0).
Member still has permanent out-of-plane
deformation.
6. Brace loaded in compression to peak
3
compression capacity (buckling). Peak
5
 compression capacity reduced from
previous cycle.
7
2
6 7. Continue loading in compression.
Flexural plastic hinge forms at mid-
PCR length (due to P-Δ moment in member).
1

30
Experimental Behavior of Brace - Cyclic Axial Loading
W6x20 Kl/r = 80


P

31
Experimental Behavior of Brace - Cyclic Axial Loading
W6x16 Kl/r = 120


P

32
Experimental Behavior of Braced Frame - Cyclic Loading

33
Developing Ductile Behavior in CBFs
General Approach

• Design frame so that inelastic behavior is

restricted to braces.
 Braces are "fuse" elements of frame.
 Braces are weakest element of frame. All
other frame elements (columns, beams,
connections) are stronger than braces.
• Choose brace members with good energy
dissipation capacity and fracture life (limit kL/r
and b/t).

34
Developing Ductile Behavior in CBFs
General Approach

• Design brace connections for maximum

forces and deformations imposed by brace
during cyclic yielding/buckling

35
Developing Ductile Behavior in CBFs
General Approach

• Design beams and columns (and column

splices and column bases) for maximum
forces imposed by braces

36
Developing Ductile Behavior in CBFs
General Approach

• Design braces based on code

specified earthquake forces.
• Design all other frame
elements for maximum forces
that can be developed by
braces.

37
Maximum Forces Developed by Braces
Braces in Tension - Axial Force:

P
For design:
Pmax = Py Take Pmax = Ry Fy Ag

 38
Maximum Forces Developed by Braces
Braces in Compression - Axial Force:


For design:
Presidual  0.3 Pmax Take Pmax = (Fcre / 0.877) Ag
Take Presidual = 0.3 Pmax

Notes:
Pmax
1. Fcre = Fcr from AISC 360
Ch. E using RyFy
2. Pmax does not need to
P exceed RyFyAg 39
Maximum Forces Developed by Braces
Braces in Compression - Bending Moment:

Plastic Hinges

P P

M M

For "fixed" end braces: flexural plastic hinges will form at mid-
length and at brace ends. Brace will impose bending moment on
connections and adjoining members.

For design:
Take Mmax = 1.1 Ry Fy Zbrace (for critical buckling direction)

40
Maximum Forces Developed by Braces
Braces in Compression - Bending Moment:

P P

Plastic Hinge

P P

For "pinned" end braces: flexural plastic hinge will form at mid-
length only. Brace will impose no bending moment on connections
and adjoining members.
Must design brace connection to behave like a "pin"
41
Maximum Forces in Columns and Beams

To estimate maximum axial forces imposed by

braces on columns and beams:

Braces in Tension:

Take P = Ry Fy Ag

Braces in Compression:

Pcre = min { (Fcre / 0.877) Ag , RyFyAg }

Use: OR
P = 0.3 Pcre
whichever produces critical design case
42
Example

Find maximum axial

compression in column.

Tension Braces:
Take P = Ry Fy Ag

Compression Braces:
Take P = Pcre

43
Example

Ry F y A g

Pcre

Ry F y A g

Column Axial Compression =

[  (Ry Fy Ag ) cos  +  (Pcre) cos  ] + Pgravity
Pcre
(sum brace forces for all levels
Ry F y A g above column)

Pcre

44
Example

Find maximum axial

tension in column.

Tension Braces:
Take P = Ry Fy Ag

Compression Braces:
Take P = Pcre

45
Example

Pcre

Ry F y A g

Pcre

Ry F y A g
Column Axial Tension =
[  (Ry Fy Ag ) cos  +  (Pcre) cos  ] - Pgravity Pcre

(sum brace forces for all levels

above column)
Ry F y A g

46
Example

Find maximum axial

compression in column.

Tension Braces:
Take P = Ry Fy Ag

Compression Braces:
Take P = 0.3Pcre

47
Example

0.3 Pcre Column Axial Compression =

Ry Fy Ag  (Ry Fy Ag ) cos  + (0.3 Pcre) cos  + Pgravity

Note
Based on elastic frame analysis:
Column Axial Force = Pgravity

48
Example

Find maximum bending

moment in beam.

Tension Brace:
Take P = Ry Fy Ag

Compression Brace:
Take P = 0.3 Pcre

49
Example

 0.3 Pcre
Ry Fy Ag

50
Example

Compute moment in beam

resulting from application of
concentrated load at midspan:
( Ry Fy Ag - 0.3 Pcre ) sin 
and add moment due to
gravity load

( Ry Fy Ag - 0.3 Pcre ) sin 

Note
Based on elastic frame analysis:
Moment in beam  0

51
Example

Find maximum axial tension

and compression that will be
applied to gusset plate.


Tension Brace:
Take P = Ry Fy Ag

Compression Brace:
Take P = Pcre

52
Example

Check gusset yield, gusset

net section fracture, gusset
block shear fracture, local Check gusset buckling,
beam web yielding, etc. beam web crippling, etc.

Ry Fy Ag

min { (Fcre / 0.877) Ag , RyFyAg }

53
 3 - Concentrically Braced Frames

• Description and Types of Concentrically Braced

Frames
• Basic Behavior of Concentrically Braced Frames
• AISC Seismic Provisions for Special Concentrically
Braced Frames

54
 2016 AISC Seismic Provisions

Section F1
Ordinary Concentrically Braced Frames (OCBF)

Section F2
Special Concentrically Braced Frames (SCBF)

55
55
 2016 AISC Seismic Provisions
Section F2. Special Concentrically Braced Frames (SCBF)

F2.1 Scope
F2.2 Basis of Design
F2.3 Analysis
F2.4 System Requirements
F2.5 Members
F2.6 Connections

56
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Basis of Design

F2.2 Basis of Design

This section is applicable to braced frames that consist of
concentrically connected members. Eccentricities less than the
beam depth are permitted if the resulting member and
connection forces are addressed in the design and do not
change the expected source of inelastic deformation capacity.
SCBF designed in accordance with these provisions are
expected to provide significant inelastic deformation
capacity primarily through brace buckling and yielding of the
brace in tension.

57
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Analysis

F2.3 Analysis
The required strength of columns, beams, struts and
connections in SCBF shall be determined using the
capacity-limited seismic load effect. The capacity-limited
horizontal seismic load effect, Ecl, shall be taken as the
larger force determined from the following analyses:
a) All braces at expected strength (RyFyAg in tension and
Pcre for compression) Pcre = min { (Fcre / 0.877) Ag , RyFyAg }
b) All tension braces at expected strength (RyFyAg) and
all compression braces at their post-buckling strength
(0.3Pcre)
c) Special requirements for multi-tiered braced frames
58
Example

Find required axial

compression strength
and flexure in beam.

59
Example

wgravity = (1.2 + 0.2 SDS) D + 0.5L


Ry Fy Ag 0.3 Pcre for flexure Beam-to-column
connections:
Pcre for beam axial simple framing

60
Example

Forces acting on beam:

wgravity = (1.2 + 0.2 SDS) D + 0.5L

( Ry Fy Ag - 0.3 Pcre ) sin 

( Ry Fy Ag + Pcre ) cos 

61
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
System Requirements

F2.4a Lateral Force Distribution

Along any line of braces, braces shall be deployed in

alternate directions such that, for either direction of
force parallel to the bracing, at least 30% but not more
than 70% of the total horizontal force along that line is
resisted by braces in tension…

62
F2.4a Lateral Force Distribution

Deploy braces so that about half are in tension

(and the other half in compression)

All braces in tension (or compression) No Good

OK

63
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
System Requirements

F2.4b V- and Inverted V- Braced Frames

64
F2.4b V- and Inverted V- Braced Frames

(a) Beam must be continuous between columns

(b) Brace the beam at the point of intersection

of the braces

Brace the rest of the beam per D1.2a for

moderately ductile members

  𝐸
𝐿𝑏=0.19 𝑟 𝑦
( 𝑅𝑦 𝐹𝑦 )
65
66
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
System Requirements

F2.4c K-Braced Frames

K-Type braces are not permitted for SCBF

67
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
System Requirements

F2.4d Tension-Only Frames F2.4e Multi-Tiered Braced Frames

Roof

No floor here

Not allowed Special requirements

68
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Members

F2.5a Basic Requirements

Columns, beams and braces shall meet requirements

of Section D1.1 for highly ductile members

i.e. Columns, beams and braces must be extra

compact to have ductility after reaching
plastic strength:  ≤ hd

69
F2.5a Width-Thickness Limitations

Beams:  ≤ hd

Braces:  ≤ hd

Columns:  ≤ hd

70
F2.5a Width-Thickness Limitations

plastic hinge

P
Δ

Braces: form plastic hinge during buckling

With high b/t's - local buckling leads to creasing

and fracture at plastic hinge region

71
72
73
74
F2.5a Width-Thickness Limitations

Bracing Members:  ≤ hd

For rectangular HSS (A500 Gr C steel):

 
𝑏 𝐸 29000 𝑘𝑠𝑖
𝑡
≤ 0.65
√
𝑅𝑦𝐹𝑦
=0.65
√
1.3 (50 𝑘𝑠𝑖 )
=13.7

For round HSS (A500 Gr C steel):

 𝐷 𝐸 29000 𝑘𝑠𝑖
≤0.053 =0.053 =25.7
𝑡 𝑅𝑦𝐹𝑦 1.3 ( 46 𝑘𝑠𝑖 )

75
F2.5a Width-Thickness Limitations

AISC Seismic
Design Manual
Table 1-5b

76
F2.5a Width-Thickness Limitations

AISC Seismic
Design Manual
Table 1-6

77
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Members

F2.5b(a) Slenderness

 𝑳 𝒄
Bracing members shall have: ≤ 𝟐𝟎𝟎
𝒓

Limit slenderness to prevent unwanted dynamic effects

78
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Members

F2.5b(c) Effective Net Area

The brace effective net area shall not be less than the brace gross
area. Where reinforcement on braces is used, the following
requirements shall apply:
1. The specified minimum yield strength of the reinforcement
shall be at least equal to the specified minimum yield
strength of the brace.
2. The connections of the reinforcement to the brace shall have
sufficient strength to develop the expected reinforcement
strength on each side of a reduced section.

Objective: Yield of gross section of brace prior to fracture of net section

79
80
81
Example
gusset plate
double angle bracing member

Check if effective net area ≥ gross area

82
Example

Gross Area Ag

Effective Net Area

Ae = U An
Ae < Ag due to:
bolt hole (An < Ag ), and
Need to Reinforce Net Section shear lag (U < 1)

83
Example

Reinforcing net section of bracing member....

84
Example - HSS
gusset plate

rectangular HSS bracing

member

Check if effective net area ≥ gross area

85
86
Example - HSS

Pu = Ry Fy Ag

Critical Net Section

Ae = U An
Ae < Ag due to:
slot (An < Ag ), and
shear lag (U < 1) Need to Reinforce Net Section

87
Example - HSS

Reinforcing net section of bracing member....

88
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Members

F2.5c Protected Zone

Protected
Zones B = brace depth in
L
plane of buckling

L/4
B

89
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Connections
F2.6b Beam-to-Column Connections

Option (a) Design as simple connection

Allow rotation per Specification B3.4a

90
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Connections
F2.6b Beam-to-Column Connections

Example of loads associated

with required moment
2nd Ed. SDM Ex. 5.3.12

Option (b) Design as moment connection

Design for 1.1RyMp of beams or columns
91
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Connections
F2.6b Beam-to-Column Connections

CJP, Demand
Critical, leave
backing bar,
remove weld
tabs
Back up bar CJP
to column 5/16 web to
column
Continuity Plates per Alternative:
E3.6f (if required) single plate
Design for strength of bolted web
continuity plate, CJP, connection
two-sided PJP with
fillets , or double fillet

Weld access holes CJP Demand

Critical
per AWS D1.8
Clause 6.11.1.2 and Remove backing,
5/16 backgouge,
Figure 6.2
reinforcing fillet

Option (c) Detail similar to WUF-W

92
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Connections

F2.6c.1 Required Tensile Strength

The required tensile strength of bracing connections
(including beam-to-column connections if part of the braced-
frame system) shall be the lesser of the following:

1. Ry Fy Ag of the bracing member.

2. The maximum load effect, indicated by analysis,
that can be transferred to the brace by the system.

Few practical applications of Item 2.

Note that ΩoQE is NOT an acceptable
method to establish "maximum load effect"

93
Brace Connection Design

Ry Fy Ag

94
Brace Connection Design

Pu = Ry Fy Ag

Consider load path through

connection region


Pu cos 

Pu sin 
95
Brace Connection Design

Consider load path through

Pu = Ry Fy Ag
connection region:
Uniform Force Method –
Vertical Component of Pu
transferred to column.

Vuc Vuc + Vub = Pu sin 

Vub Vuc is transferred directly to column
Vub is transferred indirectly to column
Vub through beam and beam to column
Pu cos  connection

Pu sin 
96
Brace Connection Design

Consider load path through

Pu = Ry Fy Ag
connection region:
Uniform Force Method –
Horizontal Component of Pu
transferred to beam.

Huc Huc + Hub = Pu cos 

Hub Hub is transferred directly to beam

Huc is transferred indirectly to beam
Huc through column and beam to column
Pu cos  connection

Pu sin 
97
Brace Connection Design

Consider load path through

Pu = Ry Fy Ag
connection region:
Use caution in use of bolts and
welds.
Section D2.2(b):
"Bolts and welds shall not be
designed to share force in a
joint or the same force
component in a connection."

Pu cos 

Pu sin 
98
Brace Connection Design

Pu = Ry Fy Ag
If designed by uniform force
method - this connection
violates Section D2.2(b)

Bolts and welds must transfer same

force components.

Pu cos 

Pu sin 
99
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Connections

F2.6c.2 Required Compressive Strength

The required compressive strength of bracing connections

shall be at least min { (Fcre / 0.877) Ag , RyFyAg }

Fcre is the critical buckling stress (Fcr) from Chapter E of

AISC Main Specification using RyFy as the yield stress

100
Brace Connection Design

min { (Fcre / 0.877) Ag , RyFyAg }

Check:
• buckling of gusset plate
• web crippling for beam
and column
101
102
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Connections

F2.6c.3 Accommodation of Brace Buckling

a) The required flexural strength of bracing

connections is 1.1Ry Mp of the bracing member.

103
F2.6c.3 Accommodation of Brace Buckling

Plastic Hinges

P
M M

For "fixed" end braces: flexural plastic hinges will form at

mid-length and at brace ends. Brace will impose bending
moment on connections and adjoining members.

Mu = 1.1 Ry Mp = 1.1 Ry Fy Zbrace

(for critical buckling direction)

104
1.1 Ry Mp-brace

105
106
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
F2.6 Connections

F2.6c.3 Accommodation of Brace Buckling

b) Rotation Capacity: Brace connections designed

to withstand the rotations imposed by brace
buckling shall have sufficient rotation capacity to
accommodate the required rotation at the design
story drift. Inelastic rotation of the connection is
permitted.

107
F2.6c.3 Accommodation of Brace Buckling

P P

Plastic Hinge

P P

For "pinned" end braces: flexural plastic hinge will form at

mid-length only. Brace will impose no bending moment
on connections and adjoining members.
Must design brace connection to behave like a "pin"

108
F2.6c.3 Accommodation of Brace Buckling

To accommodate brace end rotation: provide "fold line"

Buckling perpendicular to
gusset plate

Line of rotation ("fold line") when the

brace buckles out-of-plane
(thin direction of plate)

109
110
2t

111
2t

112
2t
Concrete floor slab

113
2t Concrete floor slab

Styrofoam

114
115
116
117
118
> 2t

t
>2
119
>2t

120
> 2t

121
AISC Seismic Provisions - SCBF
Connections

F2.6c.3 Accommodation of Brace Buckling

Other Options for Allowing Rotation

Elliptical Fold Line Knife Plate Detail

122
 2016 AISC Seismic Provisions
Section F2. Special Concentrically Braced Frames (SCBF)

F2.1 Scope
F2.2 Basis of Design
F2.3 Analysis
F2.4 System Requirements
F2.5 Members
F2.6 Connections

123