EFFECT OF LINK ON ECCENTRICALLY BRACED FRAMES

Abstract

The study deals with the eccentrically braced steel frames (EBF). EBF configuration is similar to traditional braced frames with the exception that at least one end of each brace must be eccentrically connected to the frame. The energy dissipation is achieved through the yielding of a beam segment called the link, while the other frame members, including outer beam segments, braces, and columns, should remain essentially elastic. The study incorporates applying lateral loading to several types of eccentrically loaded frames, in addition to a concentrically braced frame and a moment frames to compare the structural response. The paper includes analyzing the effect of link length on the ductility of the frame and the amount of drift.