Seismic column demands in ductile braced frames

In ductile braced frames, column seismic demands depend on the strength of ductile elements and yielding patterns that occur during earthquake loading. Column demands were investigated in buckling restrained braced frames (BRBFs), special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs), and eccentrically braced frames (EBFs) with different heights (3, 9, and 18 story) and strength levels using nonlinear time history analysis. For columns at the base of 9- and 18-story BRBFs and EBFs, axial demands observed from the analyses were 55-70% of demands commonly used in design, indicating potential cost savings on columns, anchor rods, base plates, and foundations in tall buildings; however, in low-rise SCBFs with braces in the 2-story X-configuration, column axial demands were up to 100% greater than those commonly used in design because of force redistribution that occurs after brace buckling. Column rotations in all frames were less than 0.03 rad. These rotation demands are lower than rotation capacities that have been demonstrated in other work. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2009)135:1(33) CE Database subject headings: Steel frames; Steel columns; Seismic design; Seismic analysis; Nonlinear analysis; Bracing; Foundations.