Performance-based plastic design of multi-story hybrid braced frames with buckling-restrained braces and shape memory alloy braces

By employing two or more types of braces, hybrid braced frames (HBFs) combine the merits of the adopted braces and offsets their drawbacks. However, the corresponding seismic design method is still under development. To this end, this paper develops a performance-based seismic design (PBSD) method, based on the performance-based plastic design (PBPD) method. In current work, the buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) and shape memory alloy braces (SMABs) are introduced, because they are known for high energy-dissipating capacity and excellent self-centering capability, respectively. The participation extent of BRBs and SMABs is controlled by the stiffness contribution factor. The equations governing the design results are derived and the step-by-step procedure is detailed. A six-story benchmark frame is selected to demonstrate the design method. The designed HBF is subjected to a suite of earthquake ground motions, and the mean demands of seismic responses are compared against performance targets. It indicates that the HBF designed by the design method can well meet the design targets. A parametric analysis is conducted to reveal the effect of changing the stiffness contribution factor on the seismic demands of the HBF. This study validates the proposed design method for HBF, and it may also shed light to the PBSD method of the structures equipped with the other types of displacement-dependent damping braces. • It proposes a seismic design method for hybrid braced frames. • The hybrid braced frames can meet the requirements of multiple EDPs simultaneously. • The optimal value of stiffness contrition factor of BRB system to the hybrid system is 0.7.