Inelastic Behaviour of Buckling-restrained Braces Using Steel Mortar Planks

The authors have proposed and developed the buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) providing the stable hysteretic behaviour under high-strain conditions. In the past studies by cyclically static loading tests, the performance evaluation formula of the BRBs was proposed with the scope of practical application. However, the effects of the clearance between the steel core plate and restraining member on the inelastic behaviour of the BRBs have not been defined yet. In this paper, the effects of the clearance on the hysteretic behaviour and the compressive strength of the BRBs are examined by cyclically static loading tests. As a result, the effects are not significant to the compressive strength and the deformation amplitude of the buckling mode of the BRBs. The buckling mode number related to the compressive strength increase rate is also evaluated.