A Seismic Effective Method for Double-Layer Reticulated Shell Using Buckling-Restrained Braces

In this study a kind of buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) as energy dissipation dampers is attempted for seismic performance of large span double-layer reticulated shell and the effectiveness of BRBs to protect structures against strong earthquakes is numerically studied. The hysteretic curve of such members is obtained through the simulation of the cyclic-loading test, and the equations of motion of the system under earthquake excitations are established. BRBs are then placed at certain locations on the example reticulated shell to replace some normal members, and the damping effect of the two installation schemes of BRBs is investigated by non-linear time-history analyses under various ground motions representing major earthquake events. Compared with the seismic behavior of the original structure without BRBs, satisfactory seismic performance is seen in the upgraded models, which clarifies the BRBs can reduce the vibration response of spatial reticulated structure effectively and the new system has wide space to develop double layer reticulated shell.