Behavior of Hollow Structural Section Setion Bracing Members with Different W/T Ratios

Abstract

In this study hysteretic behaviors of Hollow Structural Section (HSS) bracing members having different width-thickness ratios (w/t ratio) are investigated. For this purpose, an experimental study was carried out using 7 specimens under quasi static symmetric reversed cyclic loading in tension and compression. Loading pattern was determined based on the results of a nonlinear dynamic time history analysis of a 3 story concentric braced frame under earthquake ground motions. This study observed that HSS specimens having a small w/t ratio experienced early fracture at the slotted end. It is noted that those specimens satisfied the requirement of w/t ratio for special concentric braced frames. To avoid this problem, this study proposed a design equation. The design equation was verified by additional experimental tests of two specimens designed according to the proposed design equation.