ABSTRACT
In the last decades numerous investigations have been realized about new technologies for seismic building (Soong & Dargush 1997). These technologies can be applied to new structures or in constructions that need to be retrofitted. The buckling-restrained braces (BRB) are one of these new technologies (Watanabe et al. 1998). This type of passive energy dissipation system is composed of a ductile steel core, which is designed to yield in both tension and compression. To preclude global buckling in compression, the steel core is first placed inside a steel casing and then is filled with mortar or concrete. Prior to casting mortar, the steel core is cover with an unbonding material in order to minimize the transfer of axial force from steel core to the mortar. Experimental and analytical results have shown that the BRB is a very effective device for the dissipation of energy by yielding of the steel core.
