CRITERIA OF BUCKLING-RESTRAINED BRACES TO PREVENT OUT-OF-PLANE BUCKLING

Abstract

Buckling-restrained braces, which satisfy criteria of preventing flexural buckling of restraining members, can form out-of-plane buckling mode if stiffness of their connections and girder are small. In order to prevent out-of-plane buckling, buckling load must be larger than the maximum axial force of brace. This paper addresses that the required stiffness of both connections and girder to prevent out-of-plane buckling. Based on observation of loading tests, buckling-restrained braces formed buckling mode as stiffness of girder became less than the required stiffness. As a result, the required stiffness is useful for criteria of buckling-restrained braces to prevent out-of-plane buckling.