EBF literature review

Characteristics of eccentrically braced frames(CEB)

Keith D.Hjelmstad,Egor Popov
Static elastic plastic analysis(epa) of a 3 story
frame
Rigid plastic analysis(rpa) calculating ductility
demands

Kinematic relation Shorter the value of e, higher the plastic rotation demand

Member ductility

Structure ductility
Member Capacity and detailing
 EBF literature review
Behavior of long links in eccentrically braced frames
• A similar discussion regarding e/l ratio’s effect frame stiffness and
strength is mentioned in beginning of report.
• Frame strength rapidly increases with decreasing e/l until its limited
by the fully plastic shear capacity of the links.
𝑒 2𝑀𝑝
• Critical e/l ratio is proposed: = based on static equilibrium of
𝑙 𝑉𝑝𝐿
an isolated link with equal end moments in double curvature and
uniform shear force. This ratio modified to account for strain
𝑒 1.6𝑀𝑝
hardening =
𝑙 𝑉𝑝𝐿
Key issues affecting the use of long links
• Key failure mechanisms:
• Flange buckling (slender flanges)
• Compression web buckling
• LTB
• Important design goal:
• Delay various failure modes until sufficient plastic rotation is developed.
• (for long links, concentrated plasticity at ends can cause a lot of concentrated
bending strains(higher curvatures) which can cause instability problems and
even fracture (if stiffener spacing is small)
• Based on a study (Kasai & Popov 20) on short links, following relation
between stiffener spacing and web thickness was devised:
• a=29*(tw)-(d/5) for ϒp=+-0.09 rad
• a=38*(tw)-(d/5) for ϒp=+-0.06 rad
• a=56*(tw)-(d/5) for ϒp=+-0.03 rad or less
As an approximation, (Lay’s 25) stiffeners placed at a distance of bf from link
ends was chosen as starting point in long link investigation.

• Important considerations for EBF design:

• Beam and brace outside link shouldn’t buckle or plastify prematurely before
link hinge develops. (elastic region).*
• Link to columns connections need to be fully welded to avoid brittle fracture.
• Gusset stiffening needs to be considered for brace to link connection.
(stability concerns)
• Experimental Setup:
• Limitations of assemblage:
• No composite floor deck considered. (only restrained at link ends)
• No axial force developed on the links.
• Buckling of brace not considered in the experimental setup.

• Test specimen design considerations

• Flexure yielding dominant specimens were (5,6,12) .
• Test variables:
• Link length
• Bf/tf ratios (see table 2.3)
• Stiffener spacing varied.
• Brace beam angle
• (brace sections for long links were sized heavy to account for large bending moments
while for shorter links, braces were sized lighter to see if the hinges were formed
outside the links. )
• Results Discussion for the report
• Controlling failure limit for most intermediate-long links was fracture of flange
@link-column connection. (due to high bending strains and connection
deficiencies
• The addition of vertical reinforcing ribs delayed fracture. (none of the test
specimens used bolted web connection due to potential flange fracture)
• None of the links achieved NEHRP recommended plastic drift of 0.012 due to
flange fracture limit state.
• Flange buckle in brace connection was typically more severe than flange
buckle within the link. (it led to more abrupt out of plane displacements of
the link. (for stocky flanges, LTB governed for long links)
• Preliminary recommendations for long links
• Locate stiffeners within long links @ distance of 1.5bf from each end of the
link
• Beams and braces outside link should be sized for the capacity of the link.
Since the beams outside the link receive significant axial load, they are more
sensitive to stability problems
• Its recommended to provide link lateral end support of at least 6% of beam
flange strength=0.06*bf*tf*fy
• Preliminary provisions for long links ultimate strength ,rotation
capacity and stiffening:
• Mult=0.75*e*Vp ; Vult=1.5*Vp for e<=1.6*Mp/Vp
• Mult=1.2*Mp for e=1.6*Mp/Vp ; Vult=2*Mult/e for e>1.6Mp/Vp
• Mult=1.5*Mp for e>=3Mp/Vp
• (these provisions assume equalization of link end moments and inherent
strain hardening from actual coupon tests conducted on W, HS sections
Suggested plastic rotation capacity

• ϒp=+-0.08rad for e<=1.6*Mp/Vp

• ϒp=+-0.02 rad for e>=3*Mp/Vp
Results
Specimen 12 (very long link) e=4.25*Mp/Vp details
Specimen 5 behavior
Specimen 12 behavior
Moment rotation results (12)

At brace end of link Column end of link

Plastic rotation capacity=+-0.025

rad (until stable hysteresis) and =+-
0.04 rad after initial yield.
Link shear axial force response (12)
Shear/link length relationship
Moment/link length relation
Suggested long link detailing
Other studies
(Tremblay, Rozon etal)

Beams were fully laterally

supported
 The series of
rotational springs
were replaced by an
inelastic spring using
Giuffre-Menegotto-
Pinto (Steel02)
hysteretic model.

Also residual stresses

were considered for
W sections based on
the work of Lamarche
and Tremblay(2008)

Rahmadan et
Ghobarah(1995)
Link results
References
• Characteristics of eccentrically braced frames (keith Hjelmstad,
Popov)
• Behavior of long links in eccentrically braced frames
(popov,engelhardt) EERC report
• Study of global behavior of eccentrically braced frames (Rozon,
Tremblay)