11.06: Application of hybrid simulation for the evaluation of the buckling response of steel braced frame columns

Abstract

Hybrid simulation is an economical structural testing technique in which the critical part of the structure expected to respond in the inelastic range is tested physically whereas the rest of the structure is modelled numerically using a finite element analysis program. This paper describes the application of hybrid simulation for steel I-shaped columns in Multi-Tiered Braced Frame (MT-BFs) structures. A full-scale W250x101 column part of a two-tiered concentrically braced frame was physically tested while the rest of the frame was numerically analysed using the OpenSees finite element program. The development and main challenges of the hybrid simulation are first described and the main findings of the hybrid simulation are then presented. The test results show that the testing technique is an effective experimental tool to generate reliable data on column stability limit states. Furthermore, the results from the hybrid simulation confirmed the findings of previous numerical simulations to assess the seismic response of columns in steel braced frames.

Seismic response and design of steel multi-tiered concentrically braced frames of the conventional construction category in moderate seismic regions of Eastern Canada

“…Table 1 gives the selected sections for roof beams and struts. Additionally, the program's capability to predict inelastic buckling of steel wide-flange columns was confirmed in past experimental and numerical studies (Lamarche and Tremblay 2011;Imanpour et al 2016Imanpour et al , 2017. The results of the validation studies performed to verify the cyclic inelastic and stability response of single-and double-angle braces, and HSS members can be found in Derakhshan Houreh and Imanpour (2020), and those carried out to verify the stability of wide-flange columns are available in Imanpour (2015) and Imanpour et al (2017).…”

“…Extensive numerical simulations were performed on MT-CBFs in the last decade with an emphasis on areas with high seismicity. These studies primarily served to better understand the seismic response of such frames and develop enhanced seismic design provisions in Canada and the United States (Imanpour and Tremblay 2016;Imanpour et al 2016aImanpour et al , 2016bImanpour et al , 2017Cano and Imanpour 2020). It was confirmed that the inelastic lateral deformations of the frame are non-uniformly distributed over the frame height because the tension-acting braces yield in only one of the braced tiers rather than all of the tiers.…”

Development of a Hybrid Simulation Computational Model for Steel Braced Frames

“…Multi-axial pseudo-dynamic hybrid simulations was conducted to evaluate the behaviour of steel bridge piers under multi-directional seismic loading [13,14]. Most recently pseudo-dynamic hybrid simulations have been used for the seismic evaluation of reinforced concrete columns [15], steel momentresisting frames [16] and steel concentrically braced frames [17].…”