Seismic drift response of seesaw-braced and buckling-restrained braced steel structures: A comparison study

Abstract A numerical comparison study of the interstorey and the residual interstorey seismic drifts of steel structures equipped with the seesaw system and buckling-restrained braces is carried out. This investigation involves inelastic time-history seismic analyses of 2-, 5- and 8-storey 3-D steel structures, with specific orientation of columns and configuration of braces, for the design basis earthquake. The effects of soil-structure interaction and seismic incident angle are also considered in these analyses. Comparison of the seismic drift responses experienced by the seesaw-braced and the buckling-restrained braced steel structures, reveals different peak interstorey drift values but in many cases similar drift concentration along the height of the structures. Furthermore, the seesaw-braced steel structures exhibit, in general, larger peak residual drifts than buckling-restrained braced steel structures.