Energy-based seismic design of structures with buckling-restrained braces

A simplified seismic design procedure for steel structures with buckling-restrained braces (BRB) was proposed based on the energy balance concept and the equal energy assumption. The input seismic energy was estimated from a design spectrum, and the elastic and hysteretic energy were computed using energy balance concept. The size of braces was determined so that the hysteretic energy demand was equal to the hysteretic energy dissipated by the BRB. The validity of using equivalent single-degree-of-freedom systems to estimate seismic input and hysteretic energy demand in multi story structures with BRB was investigated through time-history analysis. The story-wise distribution pattern of hysteretic energy demands was also obtained and was applied in the design process. According to analysis results, the maximum displacements of the 3-story structure designed in accordance with the proposed procedure generally coincided with the target displacements on the conservative side. The maximum displacements of the 6- and 8-story structures, however, turned out to be somewhat smaller than the target values due to the participation of higher vibration modes.