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9.1–50
CHAPTER F
BRACED-FRAME AND SHEAR-WALL SYSTEMS
This chapter provides the basis of design, the requirements for analysis, and the require-
ments for the system, members and connections for steel braced-frame and shear-wall
systems.
User Note: The requirements of this chapter are in addition to those required by the
Specification and the applicable building code.
1. Scope
Ordinary concentrically braced frames (OCBF) of structural steel shall be designed
in conformance with this section. In seismically isolated structures, OCBF above the
isolation system shall satisfy the requirements of Sections F1.4b, F1.5, F1.6 and F1.7
and need not satisfy the requirements of Section F1.4a.
2. Basis of Design
This section is applicable to braced frames that consist of concentrically connected
members. Eccentricities less than the beam depth are permitted if they are accounted
for in the member design by determination of eccentric moments using the amplified
seismic load.
OCBF designed in accordance with these provisions are expected to provide limited
inelastic deformation capacity in their members and connections.
3. Analysis
There are no additional analysis requirements.
4. System Requirements
(1) The required strength shall be determined based on the load combinations of the
applicable building code assuming that the braces provide no support of dead
and live loads. For load combinations that include earthquake effects, the seismic
load effect, E, on the member shall be determined as follows:
(i) The forces in braces in tension shall be assumed to be the least of the fol-
lowing:
(a) The expected yield strength of the brace in tension, Ry Fy Ag
(b) The load effect based upon the amplified seismic load
(c) The maximum force that can be developed by the system
(ii) The forces in braces in compression shall be assumed to be equal to 0.3Pn.
(2) As a minimum, one set of lateral braces is required at the point of intersection of
the braces, unless the member has sufficient out-of-plane strength and stiffness
to ensure stability between adjacent brace points.
4b. K-Braced Frames
K-type braced frames are not permitted for OCBF.
5. Members
5b. Slenderness
Braces in V or inverted-V configurations shall have KL /r ≤ 4 E Fy .
6. Connections
Exception: The required strength of the brace connection need not exceed the fol-
lowing:
(1) In tension, the expected yield strength of the brace multiplied by 1.0 (LRFD) or
divided by 1.5 (ASD), as appropriate. The expected yield strength shall be deter-
mined as Ry Fy Ag.
(2) In compression, the expected brace strength in compression multiplied by 1.0
(LRFD) or divided by 1.5 (ASD), as appropriate. The expected brace strength in
compression is permitted to be taken as the lesser of Ry Fy Ag and 1.14Fcre Ag
where Fcre is determined from Specification Chapter E using the equations for Fcr
except that the expected yield stress Ry Fy is used in lieu of Fy. The brace length
used for the determination of Fcre shall not exceed the distance from brace end to
brace end.
(3) When oversized holes are used, the required strength for the limit state of bolt
slip need not exceed a load effect based upon using the load combinations stipu-
lated by the applicable building code, not including the amplified seismic load.
7. Ordinary Concentrically Braced Frames above Seismic
Isolation Systems
1. Scope
Special concentrically braced frames (SCBF) of structural steel shall be designed in
conformance with this section.
2. Basis of Design
This section is applicable to braced frames that consist of concentrically connected
members. Eccentricities less than the beam depth are permitted if the resulting mem-
ber and connection forces are addressed in the design and do not change the expected
source of inelastic deformation capacity.
SCBF designed in accordance with these provisions are expected to provide signifi-
cant inelastic deformation capacity primarily through brace buckling and yielding of
the brace in tension.
3. Analysis
The required strength of columns, beams and connections in SCBF shall be based on
the load combinations in the applicable building code that include the amplified seis-
mic load. In determining the amplified seismic load the effect of horizontal forces
including overstrength, Emh, shall be taken as the larger force determined from the
following two analyses:
(i) An analysis in which all braces are assumed to resist forces corresponding to
their expected strength in compression or in tension
(ii) An analysis in which all braces in tension are assumed to resist forces corre-
sponding to their expected strength and all braces in compression are assumed to
resist their expected post-buckling strength