Use of SMA bars to enhance the seismic performance of SMA braced RC frames

Mohamed E. Meshaly, Maged A. Youssef and Hamdy M. Abou Elfath

Abstract

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) braces can be used to reduce seismic residual deformations observed in steel braced Reinforced Concrete (RC) frames. To further enhance the seismic performance of these frames, the use of SMA bars to reinforce their beams is investigated in this paper. Three-story and nine-story SMA-braced RC frames are designed utilizing regular steel reinforcing bars. Their seismic performance is examined using twenty seismic ground motions. The frames are then re-designed using SMA reinforcing bars. Different design alternatives representing different locations for the SMA reinforcing bars are considered. The optimum locations for the SMA bars are identified after analysing the design alternatives. The seismic performance of these frames has indicated better deformability when SMA bars are used in the beams.

Key Words

SMA; residual deformations; braced frames; seismic performance; reinforced concrete; design alternatives

Address

Mohamed E. Meshaly: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B9 Department of Structural Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt Maged A. Youssef: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B9 Hamdy M. Abou Elfath: Department of Structural Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

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