A Hysteretic Model of Conventional Steel Braces and an Analysis of the Collapse Prevention Effect of Brace Strengthening

A hysteretic model of conventional steel braces consisting of 18 parameters is proposed. This model is able to simulate the hysteretic behavior of conventional steel braces accurately. The collapse-prevention strengthening effect with steel braces for a typical reinforced concrete (RC) frame that was close to the epicenter and collapsed during the Great Wenchuan Earthquake is discussed via push-over analysis and collapse fragility analysis based on incremental dynamic analysis. The result could be referred to for the seismic collapse prevention design of RC frames.