Experimental investigation of effect of changing gap size in buckling restrained braces

© 2022 Elsevier LtdThis experimental study investigates the effect of changing the debonding gap between the core and the mortar filler on the global stability of BRBs using different cross-section restrained members. A total of eight mortar-filled BRBs were produced using a rectangular cross-section steel core and two different restraining members, a circular hollow cross-section (BRB-C series) and a square hollow cross-section (BRB-S series). In choosing the gap sizes, the gap limit formulas in the literature were considered. Not exceeding the limits of the gap, 2.8 mm, 5.6 mm, 8.4 mm, and 11.2 mm gaps were left as the multiples for the radius of inertia of the rectangular cross-section core in the BRBs. All specimens were subjected to displacement-controlled axial cyclic loading. As a result, failure modes, hysteretic performance, energy dissipation, and ductility were summarized and analysed for each specimen. The results showed that the specimens had a better structural performance with a 2.8-mm gap size, which is the radius of inertia of the core. Furthermore, the local buckling modes throughout the core increased in number as the size of the gap decreased, thus raising the members' axial load capacity and energy dissipation. It was concluded that the best structural behaviour of the tested series was provided with the smallest gap of 2.8 mm, better behaviour in energy dissipation may be obtained with smaller gap sizes. However, in this case, it is more likely to increase buckling at the gusset plates and cause local deformations with the end of the restraining members