Design procedure for ductile tension-only seismic bracing with an energy dissipation ring

Abstract

This paper will present a design solution for a ductile, tension–only seismic bracing with the use of an energy dissipating ring. This type of bracing behaves very well under seismic loading and has shown, by testing carried out in conjunction with the University of British Columbia, that it can reach very high post elastic drift limits. The presented procedure is a method created by the author and is based on information collected during the research testing program performed by the Civil Engineering Department at the University of British Columbia. The team was led by Professor Carlos Ventura, in collaboration with Dejan Erdevicki from Erdevicki Structural Engineering. The presented design procedure describes the behaviour of the system, the relation between energy, forces, drift limits and capacities of the ring. It also includes geometrical limitations and requirements for the ring element and bracing system, to ensure that target drifts can be achieved. It allows the user to calculate seismic forces and reduction factors based on an energy criterion and the chosen final drift of the structure. For longer period structures, an equal displacement principle was discussed and considered. The procedure can be used for seismic capacity design and is easily adjusted to suit applicable national codes. Ring capacity tables and examples are also included. This ductile, tension–only bracing, with an energy dissipating ring, can be used for new structures, as well as for the retrofit of existing ones. The system is relatively simple and allows for easy replacement of the ring after an earthquake event if needed. The application of the bracing system for buildings, including multi-storey structures, will be discussed.