Experimental Study of a Prefabricated Steel Frame System with Buckling-Restrained Braces

This paper presents an experimental study of a proposed prefabricated steel frame system with buckling restrained braces (BRBs) which is expected to satisfy both seismic and prefabrication requirements. The experimental program was conducted incorporating three half scaled 2-story models: two double-bay frames consisting of a buckling retrained braced frame (BRBF) and an adjoining non-moment resisting frame, plus one single-bay BRBF (without a non-moment resisting frame). The numerical models of the test specimens were designed using software package SAP2000, based on the analysis results from the finite element package OpenSees. The specimens were assembled and tested under cyclic loads. The experimental results are discussed with regard to the hysteretic behaviour, the skeleton curve, the energy dissipating capacity, and the stiffness degradation. Comparisons between the numerical predictions and the experimental results show that the OpenSees modelling provides a reasonable match with the observed behaviour of the tested specimens.