Author(s)

M. Mofid & M. Lotfollahi

Abstract

In this paper a particular structural bracing system, called the Chevron Knee Bracing (CKB), is introduced. In this framing system, a special form of diagonal braces that are connected to knee elements instead of beam-column joints is investigated. The braces provide required stiffness during moderate earthquakes, while the knee elements yield in flexure or shear to dissipate energy during a severe earthquake, whereby buckling of the braces or yielding of the main structure is prevented. First, elastic analysis is applied to the new system and a suitable shape and angle for the knee and the brace elements is proposed, using new and practical parameters. Then, by developing a nonlinear analytical model for the knee element in flexural and/or shear yielding mode, inelastic behaviour of the system is considered. Also, by using an energy

Keywords