The Resilience and Pragmatic Uses of Buckling Restrained Braces for Resilient Structures by Michel Bruneau

Presentation

When – Tuesday 21st March 2017 //

Abstract

This presentation will address three specific related ideas:

1. Outline some of the technical and non-technical issues that may help address and possibly resolve the “structural engineering resilience dilemma” – which exists because considering resilience from its greater context can effectively void efforts invested in making more resilient a single structure that is part of the total urban landscape;
2. Highlight some recent research results for the design of resilient steel structures (as well as some innovative ideas for somewhat less resilient design);
3. Describe a buckling-restrained brace concept that has been developed and experimentally validated for implementation in specially designed bidirectional bridge ductile diaphragms to resist bidirectional earthquake excitations, and that could be also used in other applications. The results showed that all the BRBs performed satisfactorily. They eventually failed after extensive cycles of inelastic deformation (due to local buckling and fracture of the yielding core, as typically the case for BRBs), but no end-plate experienced fracture or instability when the BRBs were subjected to both axial and transverse displacement histories (up to 6% lateral drift).

Biography

Dr. Bruneau has conducted extensive research on the design and behaviour of steel structures subjected to earthquakes and blasts, and has received many awards for his work. This research has encompassed contributions to the development and large-scale experimental validation of various metallic energy-dissipating design concepts to enhance the resilience of structures against extreme events, including work on ductile steel plate shear walls, ductile bridge diaphragms, tubular eccentrically braced frames, structural fuses, composite piers/walls/shafts, and controlled-rocking piers. Some of his innovative design concepts have been implemented in structures worldwide, such as in the $1B temporary supports of the new San-Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge East Span. He has authored over 400 technical publications; in particular, he is the lead author of the textbook “Ductile Design of Steel Structures” that is widely used by structural engineers. Dr. Bruneau is an ASCE Fellow, a member of various AISC and CSA committees developing design specifications for bridges and buildings, has conducted numerous reconnaissance visits to disaster stricken areas, and has served as Director of MCEER. He has also participated in various expert peer review panels, project advisory committees, and special project design teams.