Seismic performance of RC frames with concentric internal steel bracing





1. Introduction

Braced steel frames are commonly used to resist lateral

loads. Their design guidelines are readily available [1,2]. The

use of bracing to upgrade the seismic capacity of existing RC

frames has been the subject of several research investigations

over the past three decades. Two bracing systems are typically

considered: external bracing and internal bracing.

In external bracing, steel trusses are attached to the building exterior.

Bush et al. [3] conducted cyclic loading tests on 2 3 -scaled models of a number of structures

retrofitted using external bracing. They reported the efficiency of such a method

in retrofitting existing RC buildings. Badoux and Jirsa [ 4] investigated numerically the

behaviour of RC frames retrofitted with external bracing. They recommended

using cables instead of steel sections for the brace elements to avoid buckling of the

brace members, and thus increase the ductility of frames.


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