LOW-CYCLE FATIGUE BEHAVIOR AND DESIGN SUGGESTION FOR GUSSET PLATE CONNECTION OF CHEVRON BRACES AND BEAM

To ensure no more premature fractures on the gusset plate connecting chevron braces and beam occurring earlier than the fractures on bracing members, the low-cycle fatigue life of a brace system (gusset plate and bracing members) is studied by nonlinear analysis with ANSYS and Fe-safeWorks programs. The key influence parameters, including the ratio of free outstands of I-section brace flange to its thickness (b/t), the slenderness ratio of bracing member, the clearance between the brace end and beam’s lower flange, and axes intersection position of chevron braces, are discussed. With the limitations of slenderness ratio and b/t of bracing members used respectively according to varied seismic fortification intensity, seismic design suggestions about clearance of a gusset plate are given to guarantee the low-cycle fatigue life of the gusset plate to be longer than that of the specified braces.