Test description of steel X‐bracing system using low‐grade steel and internal oblique transverse stiffeners

SUMMARY A sample of steel X-braced frame was studied using laboratory tests by which system behaviour and its failure modes were driven. The braces were designed based on the idea of using low-grade steel in lateral load resisting system. Therefore, stocky braces were used. A rigid central core at intersection point of braces was considered. Oblique transverse stiffeners were provided inside the braces' cross-section for more lateral stiffness and reduction of system yield displacement. Intervals between stiffeners were determined to create guided local buckling before global buckling of braces and thus dissipate energy by accordion behaviour. The hysteresis and energy absorption diagrams were presented. The system ductility has also been calculated. The obtained results represent uniform and stable energy absorption and reasonable system ductility by using low-grade steel, rigid central core and oblique transverse stiffeners. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.