The Earthquake Engineering Online Archive

Behavior of long links in eccentrically braced frames

Engelhardt, Michael D.; Popov, Egor P.

UCB/EERC-89/01, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, 1989-01, 406 pages (510/E532/1989)

This report describes an experimental investigation and associated studies of the behavior of long, flexural yielding links in seismic-resistant eccentrically braced frames (EBFs). EBFs provide ductile behavior under severe earthquake loads by restricting yielding to beam segments called "links." The central focus of this report is an experimental investigation of 14 2/3-scale subassemblages subjected to cyclic loads. The subassemblages model a portion of a single-diagonal EBF with the links attached to the columns. Based on the findings of this investigation, combined with the results of previous EBF research, preliminary design recommendations are provided for the use of long links not attached to columns. Included are recommendations on the design yield strength, ultimate strength, plastic rotation capacity, and stiffening requirements for long links. The suitability of brace-to-link connection details for use in EBFs with long or short links is also demonstrated.

Available online: http://nisee.berkeley.edu/documents/EERC/EERC-89-01.pdf (127 MB)