Development and validation tests of a dual-core self-centering sandwiched buckling-restrained brace (SC-SBRB) for seismic resistance

• A novel dual-core self-centering sandwiched buckling-restrained brace is developed.
• The SC-SBRB combines both DC-SCB and SBRB together to provide a flag-shaped response.
• Multiple tests were conducted on a full-scale SC-SBRB to evaluate the performance.
• The SC-SBRB has abundant energy dissipation before failure of the SBRB.

Earthquake-resisting frame systems that are designed based on current seismic provisions provide life safety performance in a large earthquake, but may have significant structural damage or residual drift due to energy dissipation in designated structural members. The damage leads to difficult or expensive repairs after a large earthquake. Therefore, development of a structural system that has both energy dissipation and self-centering properties in earthquakes is needed to improve seismic performances of buildings. This paper presents a viable solution that was validated by multiple cyclic tests of an innovative brace, called a dual-core self-centering sandwiched buckling-restrained brace (SC-SBRB). The proposed brace combines the self-centering property of a dual-core self-centering brace (DC-SCB) and the energy dissipation of a sandwiched buckling-restrained brace (SBRB) together. The dual-core SC-SBRB is essentially a DC-SCB that is positioned concentrically with a SBRB to create both the self-centering and energy dissipation properties in either tension or compression. A 7860 mm-long dual-core SC-SBRB, which uses ASTM A572 Gr. 50 steel as bracing members and ASTM A416 Grade 270 steel tendons as tensioning elements, was cyclically tested six times to validate its kinematics and cyclic performance. The test program demonstrated that the proposed dual-core SC-SBRB provides stable hysteretic responses with appreciable energy dissipation, self-centering behavior and large deformation capacity before low-cycle fatigue failure of the SBRB core.