Hysteretic performance of buckling restrained braces (BRBs) having various core materials, namely, steel and aluminum alloy and with various end connections are numerically investigated. As a computational tool, nonlinear finite element analyses (FEAs) are performed to better model the hysteretic behavior. For the simulation, various aspects such as 1) stress — strain relationship including the strain hardening effect 2) von Mises yield criterion 3) contact surface parameters between the core metal and surrounding high strength grout and 4) friction are defined. Experimental results from near-full scale cyclic tests on two steel core BRBs having steel casing as a restraining environment (named as BRB-SC4 and BRB-SC5) and an aluminum alloy core & aluminum alloy casing tube (named as BRB-AC3) are used in the analyses. All cyclically tested specimens have been designed according to AISC Seismic Provisions. Numerical results obtained from 3D models developed in ANSYS-Workbench give satisfactory response parameters when compared with the experimental ones (e.g., hysteretic curves, dissipated energies). Further, a convergence analysis regarding element numbers in the developed model is conducted for each BRB specimen. Finally, key issues that influence the hysteretic modeling of BRBs are identified.

Composite reinforcing bars (rebars) that are used in concrete members with high performance (strength and durability) properties could have beneficial effects on the behavior of these members. This is especially vital when a building is constructed in an aggressive environment, for instance a corrosive environment. Although tension capacity/weight (or volume) ratios in composite rebars (carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), etc.) are very high when compared to steel rebars, major weaknesses in concrete members reinforced with these composite rebars may be the potential consequences of relatively poor bonding capacity. This may even be more crucial when the member is subjected to cyclic loading. Although monotonic bond tests are available in the literature, only limited experimental studies exist on bond characteristics under cyclic loading conditions. In order to fill this gap and propose preliminary design recommendations, 10 specimens of 10-mm-diameter ribbed CFRP rebars embedded in specially designed high strength concrete (f’_c = 70 MPa) blocks were subjected to monotonic and cyclic pullout tests. The experimental results showed that cyclically loaded CFRP rebars had less bond strength than those companion specimens loaded monotonically.

This paper experimentally investigates the cyclic inelastic performance of concentrically braced frames with and without cold formed steel stud (CFSS) infills designed to laterally restrain braces and delay their buckling. Specimens have either diagonal tube or solid bar braces with and without CFSS and U brackets providing out-of-plane and in-plane buckling restraint. Behavioral characteristics of the specimens are quantified with an emphasis on hysteretic energy dissipation. Experimental results show that, at the same ductility levels, the cumulative energy dissipation of braced frames can be significantly increased when CFSS members are used to laterally restrain the braces against buckling. However, when tubular cross sections are used for braces, local buckling led to a reduced fracture life compared to the case without CFSS members. CFSS members appear to be relatively more effective when solid bar braces having large slenderness (tension-only braces) are used, since the difference between dissipate...