TNCBF1-N-HSS: Taiwan Non-Seismic Concentrically Braced Frame (NCBF) with Non-Ductile Details and HSS Braces

The specimen designated TNCBF1-N-HSS 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 existing non-seismic concentrically braced frames (NCBFs). The braces did not meet the compactness limit for highly ductile members required for SCBF braces (b/t = 27.0 > 13.8). All first story connections and second story corner gusset plate connections were designed with non-ductile details, including limit state deficiencies selected to simulate older braced frame infrastructure. The second story beam and its adjacent mid-span brace connections were designed to meet SCBF standards to limit damage while distributing the actuator load to the frame. 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.