SEISMIC RESPONSE OF DUAL STEEL ECCENTRICALLY BRACED FRAMES WITH REMOVABLE LINKS

The aim of using dual steel eccentrically braced frames with removable links is to reduce the repair costs and downtime of a structure hit by an earthquake. This objective is to be attained through removable dissipative members and re-centering capability of the structure. The concepts of removable dissipative members and re-centering capability are to be implemented in a dual structure, obtained by combining steel eccentrically braced frames with removable bolted links with moment resisting frames. The bolted links are intended to provide the energy dissipation capacity and to be easily replaceable, while the more flexible moment resisting frames would provide the necessary re-centering capability to the structure (the columns of the moment resisting frames are made of high strength steel in order to remain in the elastic range). The objective of the present work is to present the results of the numerical simulations and experimental tests done in order to investigate the possibility to replace bolted links within a realistic structure following significant inelastic deformations and the practical feasibility of the replacement procedure. Practical solutions regarding order in which bolted links need to be replaced are proposed. The numerical simulations mentioned above are to be used for a full scale pseudo-dynamic test performed at Ispra, Italy. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]