Abstract：In this work, a new type of core-separated BRBs named corrugated-web-connected
buckling-restrained braces (CW-BRB) is presented. The external restraining system of the CW-BRB
is composed of two steel external tubes with rectangular hollow sections, which are connected
by either single or double sinusoidal corrugated webs. Two cores of the CW-BRB at its ends
extending outside the external tube are connected by a core stiffener to form a strong H-shaped
core section, so that the overall flexural stiffness of the external restraining system and the
core projections at each end of the CW-BRB can be greatly improved, and the design benefit from
the load-carrying capacity of the CW-BRB can be remarkably increased. Firstly, the elastic
buckling load of the CW-BRB is introduced by considering the shear deformation of the
corrugated webs in the external restraining system, forming the basis for calculating
restraining ratio or normalized slenderness ratio of the CS-BRB. Secondly, for the double
sinusoidal corrugated web connected BRBs, the ultimate load-carrying capacity under monotonic
axial compression and the hysteretic performance under repeated compressive-tensile cyclic
loads are investigated respectively by using the refined finite element models based on shell
element and the shell element-displacement coupling techniques. Moreover, the effects of the
restraining ratio or normalized slenderness ratio on the mechanical performance and failure
mode of the CW-BRB are studied. Finally, experimental studies on two specimens of CW-BRBs (one
specimen with a single sinusoidal corrugated web and one specimen with double sinusoidal
corrugated webs) have been conducted respectively to investigate their hysteretic performances
and corresponding failure modes. Additionally, a refined FE model with shell elements is
established for the simulation and comparison purpose with the experimental loading processes
of two specimens. The numerical results obtained from the FE analyses agree well with the
experimental results.
