The Effect of Different Steel Brace Types on Reinforced Concrete Frame System Retrofit

Abstract

One of the common methods used as an alternative to shear walls in the retrofit of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is steel braces. The use of steel braces is preferred because of its rapid application as well as the increase in stiffness and strength. By using different types of braces in reinforced concrete frames, displacements can be reduced and properties such as structural performance, shear capacity, ductility, stiffness and strength can be increased. If the behavior characteristics of the hybrid system are known, the structural performance of the reinforced building can be predicted after the retrofit. In this study, the effect of different types of steel braces recommended in the Turkey Building Earthquake Code 2018 (TBEC-2018) on reinforced concrete building retrofit, was investigated. For this purpose, a 9-storey RC frame system was retrofitted using diagonal, X, inverted V, V and K type bracings. Considering the strength and stiffness results, an answer was searched for the question of which brace type had the best result in retrofit. The results obtained from the analyzes show that the X and K type bracings stand out in terms of strength and stiffness.