Conventional I-shape brace member bolted connections under seismic loading: Laboratory study

In many regions of the world, a conventional low-ductility concentrically braced frame (CBF) is commonly chosen as seismic force resisting system. The energy dissipation not restricted to yielding and buckling braces, would be required for ductile frames; rather, assumed occur through localised friction in connections, well limited member yielding. objective this study was characterize by means laboratory testing inelastic response full-scale I-shape braces their bolted connections under reversed-cyclic loading. Six brace specimens comprising two used connection types, flange plate angle, were designed following Type CC provisions prescribed CSA S16. achieved storey drift ratios 1%–2%, due deformations both even though capacity based design incorporated design. Energy resulted from overall local buckling, gusset tension plates, angles block shear failure webs angles, bolt fracture along with slip. However, observed performance these necessarily guaranteed replicated all CBF designs conservative nature variability accuracy existing S16 equations that relied upon detail test specimens.