ABSTRACT
One of the design objectives of concentrically braced frames is to resist severe earthquakes with structural damage but no collapse.This can be achieved by allowing damage in the diagonal braces, which are the key dissipative zones. When the frames are subjected to large cyclic horizontal loading, the braces undergo inelastic deformation. As the braces are the critical members for resisting earthquake loads, it is important to understand their behaviour under cyclic loading.
