TNCBF1-R-WF: Taiwan Non-Seismic Concentrically Braced Frame (NCBF) with Repaired First Story and Wide Flange Braces

The specimen designated TNCBF1-R-WF consisted of a single-bay two-story concentrically braced frame with inverted V-bracing (chevron configuration) and a weak first story beam relative to the design post-buckled brace unbalanced load in the 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions. This frame was intended to be representative of a repaired non-seismic concentrically braced frames (NCBF) using wide flange braces, which have greater ductility than HSS braces with comparable resistance. Therefore, these wide flange braces could place larger demands on the weak first story beam. From the damaged TNCBF1-R-HSS specimen, the first story braces, gusset plates, and knife plates were replaced with new wide flange braces and connections compliant with SCBF design. No repair was made to the second story. The specimen was loaded quasistatically through the second story slab under a reversed cyclic increasing amplitude loading protocol. Traditional instrumentation and newer optical sensors were installed on the specimen. Portions of the specimen were whitewashed to detect yielding.