ISEC 09


STABILITY EVALUATION OF STEEL BRACED FRAMES UNDER INELASTIC CYCLIC LOADING

IRAJ H. P. MAMAGHANI


Abstract

This paper deals with the inelastic cyclic analysis and stability (strength and ductility) evaluation of steel braced frames. The inelastic cyclic performance of steel braced frames is examined through finite element analysis using the commercial computer program ANSYS. First some of the most important parameters considered in the practical design and ductility evaluation of steel braces are presented. Then the details of finite element modeling and numerical analysis are described. Later the accuracy of the analytical model employed in the analysis is substantiated by comparing the analytical results with the available test data in the literature. Finally, the effects of some important structural and material parameters on cyclic elastoplastic behavior of steel braced frames are discussed and evaluated. It is concluded that the numerical method and finite-element modeling employed in the numerical analysis can predict with a reasonable degree of accuracy the experimentally observed cyclic behavior of steel-braced frames.

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