Numerical study on stainless steel I-shaped links on eccentrically braced frames

Strength, ductility and strain-hardening on austenitic stainless steel are interesting structural properties that suggest a potential strategic structural application as dissipative members in seismic-resistant systems. Eccentrically braced frames (EBF) are structural systems that dissipate energy during seismic episode by means of shear- or bending-shear related mechanisms in particular elements commonly referred to as links. The use of austenitic stainless steel in these links may represent an interesting alternative for EBF. As a strategic solution aimed at exploiting the stainless steel structural properties, non-dissipative zones may be assembled with carbon steel whereas dissipative zones may be assembled with austenitic stainless steel. This paper presents a numerical study on austenitic stainless steel, I-shaped, short links on EBF subjected to cyclic loading. The study encompasses a set of parametric analysis in which the web slenderness, transverse stiffening and material properties of the elements are systematically varied. Strain-hardening, energy dissipation and residual displacement are evaluated for stainless steel links and the carbon steel counterparts. The results suggest that austenitic stainless steel links may provide to the EBF system an interesting solution that enhances their overall behaviour during energy dissipation-related episodes.