Optimization of link member of eccentrically braced frames for maximum energy dissipation

An optimization method is presented for design of an eccentrically braced frame (EBF), which is used as a passive control device for seismic design of building frames. The link member between the connections of beams and braces of EBF is reinforced with stiffeners in order to improve its stiffness and plastic deformation capacity. We present a method for optimizing the locations and thicknesses of the stiffeners of the link member. The optimal solutions are found using a heuristic approach called tabu search. The objective function is the plastic dissipated energy before failure. The deformation of the link member under static cyclic loads is simulated using a finite element analysis software package. It is demonstrated in the numerical examples that the dissipated energy can be increased through optimization within small number of analyses.

► An optimization method is presented for design of an eccentrically braced frame.
► Plastic dissipated energy before failure is maximized using a heuristic method.
► Deformation of link member is simulated using finite element analysis.
► Dissipated energy can be increased by optimization with small computational cost.