1. Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
2. Shanghai Construction Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200080, China
3. Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Abstract：When subjected to axial compression, four-angle assembled buckling-restrained braces (ABRB) behave as a complicated interaction between the inner core and the outer restraining system, as well as a complicated assembled action among four external angle steels, due to the complicated composition. Five ABRBs were tested under axial compressive loads, and their load-carrying capacities and failure modes were observed by changing their restraining ratios. A refined FE analytic model built for the experimental specimens was adopted for estimating the development and change of stress states of four angle steels, as well as the failure modes of the ABRBs during the test. By comparing the experimental results, the theoretical design results and the refined finite element analysis results of each experimental specimen, it is concluded that the finite element method can provide a lower boundary prediction of the stress state and the load-carrying capacity of the specimens. The theoretical design formulas can be used for the design of ABRBs if the additional eccentricity of the core at its ends is taken into account.
