Seismic behavior of the multistory steel-braced building with self-centering tension-only braces

Recent research has developed the self-centering tension-only brace (SC-TOB) that provides both seismic resilience and load mitigation to the structure. This study examined the seismic behavior of the SC-TOB frames (SC-TOBFs) through pushover and nonlinear dynamic analysis. The results indicate that the SC-TOBs can be designed to perform as conventional tension-only braces just offering required lateral stiffness to the structure under minor earthquakes and to function with excellent energy dissipation and recentering capabilities during significant earthquakes. The SC-TOBFs are capable of recentering both within 2% roof drift angle in pushover analysis and under the most severe hazard level in the dynamic analysis. The SC-TOBs are thereby deemed to be promising bracing members that have the potential to minimize the repair costs and operation disruption after earthquakes.