Effect of Steel Bracing on Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Structures

International Journal of Civil Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJCE Journal

Volume 12 Issue 7

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Diyar Yousif Ali, Raid Ahmed Mahmood, Mezgeen Sisen Ahmed

10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I7P108

How to Cite?

Diyar Yousif Ali, Raid Ahmed Mahmood, Mezgeen Sisen Ahmed, "Effect of Steel Bracing on Seismic Performance of Reinforced Concrete Structures," SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 7, pp. 96-104, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V12I7P108

Abstract:

Steel bracing systems are widely recognized for their effectiveness in improving the earthquake resistance of REINFORCED CONCRETE (RC) frames, especially in high-rise buildings. This study investigates how varying the diameter of steel braces affects the seismic performance of an eight-story REINFORCED CONCRETE (RC) structure, focusing on total lateral displacement, inter-story drift, and the fundamental time period. Using SAP2000 software, a nonlinear static analysis is conducted on an idealized two-dimensional model of the building. The study also evaluates the impact of various bracing configurations on the building's stability. The findings clearly show that adding steel bracing greatly improves a building’s response to earthquakes. The fundamental time period had been reduced by 65%, as the maximum inter-story drift had been reduced by 77%, as compared to an unbraced frame. In contrast with the unbraced system, incorporating steel bracing improves structural stiffness and reduces inter-story drift.

Keywords:

Steel bracing, Sap2000, RC structure, Storey Drift, Pushover analyses.

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