Cyclic testing of a self-centring concentrically braced steel frame

Conventional concentrically braced frames (CBFs) undergo many cycles of inelastic deformation during seismic excitation. This inelastic deformation leads to the possibility that a structure will remain in an out-of-plumb position, even if it has performed as required by current design codes. This dataset presents an improved steel braced framing system that eliminates such residual deformations in the structure by using a post-tensioning arrangement to ensure the structure self-centres following an earthquake. This is achieved by combining the bilinear elastic rocking response of a post-tensioned frame with the inelastic behaviour of tubular steel bracing members to give a system that both dissipates hysteretic energy and ensures self-centring behaviour, termed the self-centring concentrically braced frame (SC-CBF). Results from a total of nine tests are available to demonstrate the self-centring behaviour of the SC-CBF.