Conference of Junior Researchers in Civil Engineering

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Modelling of the Hysteretic Behaviour of Buckling Restrained Braces

Viktor Budahzy
BME Department of Structural Engineering, e-mail: budahazy.viktor@gmail.com

Abstract
This paper focuses on the numerical model development of Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs), which are typically used as
diagonal members of steel braced frames designed for dissipative behaviour and lateral load resistance under seismic action. The
complexity of the BRB devices requires the use of several advanced modelling tools, such as combined hardening, cyclic material
plasticity, plastic buckling, contact problem and friction. First a special Chaboche based material model is presented, that
developed in ANSYS finite element environment. The model is able to describe all the important cyclic behaviour of structural
steel, and effective for virtual experiments. The structure and approximation of numerical model, the calculation of model
parameters and the question of calibration are detailed. Using this material model, a Buckling Restrained Brace model is
presented, and calibrated by test results.

Introduction
The civil engineering structures are under enormous cyclic forces during a seismic effect. Buckling
Restrained Brace (BRB) devices are used to increase the resistance of frame structures by providing energy
dissipation and introducing nonlinear behaviour. Testing and evaluating are required for designing and
ensuring quality control. Although the real experiments provide the accurate behaviour of these anti-seismic
devices, these tests require significant financial resources and may lengthen actual project schedules as well.
The research has two important purposes: at first is to analyse the special hysteretic behaviour of BRB
(additional resistance at compression loading, effect of applied air gap and friction, distribution of plastic
deformation) and second, to apply the model to replace and decrease the number of complicated and
expensive tests. This paper focuses on the first purpose.
During a seismic effect the BRB usually has to resist large cyclic forces and large plastic deformation.
Therefore in the computational models of device it is important to describe properly the low cyclic plastic
behaviour of the material. In the paper a cyclic steel material model development is presented which takes
into account the important characteristics of cyclic behaviour of the steel material, and implements it in a
finite element program. In the research a model combination (based on nonlinear kinematics and multi-linear
isotropic hardening), and a dynamic parameter evaluation method are applied. The model development is
done in ANSYS finite element environment [1].
Using the developed steel material model, a complex BRB model is also created using solid elements. The
detailed description of FEM model and special settings are presented. The accuracy of the calibrated model
is proven by experimental test results.

Background of the BRB

Buckling Restrained Braced Frame (BRBF) is an anti-seismic solution, developed in Japan in the 1980s.
After the Northridge earthquake in 1994 the device has been widely used in the USA, and is accepted in
AISC standard [2]. The standardization of the device for European specifications is currently in progress.
BRBs are composed of a slender steel core continuously supported by a concrete casing. The advantageous
dissipative properties of the steel material are taken with these devices to the structural level; by limiting the
amplitude of buckling of compressed bracing element, and resulting in frames capable of significant energy
dissipation. The BRB has three components: a slender steel core, where the energy can be dissipated; a
concrete casing in a steel hollow section, which supports the core laterally under compression; and an air gap
separating the two parts from each other. Fig. 1. shows the schematic cross-section of BRB. Axial loads are
resisted by the steel core (the casing can get axial force only by friction) and the yielding zone of this
element is designed to ensure a balanced and stable highly ductile behaviour.
The effect of material on post-yield cyclic hardening is significant at these devices, therefore it is very
important to describe the appropriate steel behaviour.
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Fig. 1. Typical longitudinal section of BRB member showing the main features

General features of cyclic steel behaviour

During the development of material model, it is important to explore the steel behaviour, and define the
requirements of material model. Behaviour under cyclic loading is difficult to describe when plastic
deformation appears in the material. The initial behaviour of structural steel is linearly elastic and isotropic.
When the material point turns into plastic state, it can be described by the von Mises yield criterion and the
normality yield law. The basic requirement is that the plastic deformation and gradient of the plastic potential
function point are in the same direction. If the loading is cyclic or arbitrary, the metals show combined
hardening, the yield surface dominantly moves with some expansion.
Bauschinger effect and the disappearance of the yielding plateau
When the steel material subjected to tension beyond its yield strength experiences unloading and then
loading continues in the opposite direction, the yield strength under compression is reduced, while increased
for tension. The phenomenon is called Bauschinger effect and it is related to the crystal sizes and defects of
metals [3].
The extent of the Bauschinger effect is significant and depends on the material. The initial yield stress range
is reduced to approximately 50-70% for structural steel (depending on strength class), which is much higher
than for other structural metals e.g. aluminium or stainless steel. The saturation of Bauschinger effect (i.e.
the decrease of the yield surface) depends on the maximum plastic strain. The reduction tends to an
asymptotic value and it hardly decreases after the maximum plastic strain reaches approximately 1%.
Monotonic mild steel material behaviour differs from cyclic behaviour, as observed by several experiments
[4]. As crystal slipping increases, the Bauschinger effect saturates and the yielding plateau gradually
disappears.
Hardening-softening, non-fading memory behaviour, and strain rate effect
If the strain range (the difference between maximal and minimal strain levels in a unidirectional load path)
under cyclic loading is larger than approximately 0.4%, the maximum stress response is greater than
produced by virgin monotonic loading and the normalized size of the yield surface is slightly changed at
larger strain levels. Before the Bauschinger effect saturates, the size of the yield surface depends only on the
maximum values of plastic strain. After saturation of the Bauschinger effect, however, the elastic range of
total stress depends only on the actual strain level. Dependence of steel behaviour on the maximal plastic
strain level at small plastic strain ranges implies that the material is of the non-fading memory type.
Strain rate has a significant effect on the yielding point under monotonic loading. This effect is less
prominent under cyclic loading, because the material is strained in the strain hardening range. The increase
of peak stress under proportional loading is only 12-16% of the increase under monotonic loading with the
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same strain rate. The strain rate effect under non-proportional loading is more significant compared to
proportional loading [5].

Cyclic steel material model development

The purpose of the current research is to develop a material model which is able to describe all the necessary
phenomena, does not require complicated equations, and it is easily adoptable in numerical applications. The
following physical effects are found significant during model creation (in the order of importance):
kinematic hardening, Bauschinger effect, decrease of the yielding surface, disappearance of the yielding
plateau, plastic creep, and strain memory. Different accuracy of steel material models have been investigated
and developed in ANSYS program [6]. The following proposed dynamically updated material model (named
by the author as PRESCOM Parameter Refreshed and Strain Controlled combined Chaboche-model with
isotropic hardening) consists of five superposed Chaboche-models [7] combined with a multi-linear
isotropic hardening.
General features of the PRESCOM model
Steel material behaviour is very different under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions [3]. The yielding
plateau gradually disappears, and the normalised size of yielding surface decreases proportionally to the
accumulated plastic strain. This behaviour is simulated in PRESCOM model by three parameter sets. The
first (monotonic set) describes the monotonic steel behaviour, the second corresponds to cyclic steel
behaviour (cyclic set). In order to reproduce the change between pure monotonic and cyclic material
behaviour a further, third state is defined (transitional set). In this state a function is used to calculate model
parameters continuously updating.
Dynamic parameter calculation method
The algorithm of the dynamic model parameter calculation is illustrated in Fig. 2. At the beginning of the
loading path the monotonic parameter set is used for every steel element in the dissipative zones of the
structure. After the first load step, the maximum value of equivalent plastic strain is evaluated, and the
material model constants are updated using the following logic: if the value of the plastic strain is zero, the
parameter set is kept monotonic. If it is greater than a pre-defined limit (EQW2), the cyclic parameter set is
adjusted to the model. If the plastic strain falls within the range 0 ~ EQW2, the behaviour can be described by
the transitional parameters, using the function of relevant plastic strain (the maximum value of plastic strain
and strain range [6]).
The maximal equivalent plastic strain and the maximum strain range are evaluated after each load step. If the
new relevant strain is greater than the previous one, the parameter set of the model is updated using the
above procedure. If the relevant strain did not change, the parameters also kept. This procedure builds the
hardening memory effect at the critical range of small plastic strains into the material model using the
relevant plastic strain to describe the change in material behaviour.
Except for the monotonic stage where the yielding point corresponds to the virgin state, the numerical model
applies the so-called saturated yield stress (fy,num) that refers to the decreased yield surface. The yield surface
gradually decreases after each consecutive load cycle depending on the maximal strain level reached during
the given cycle. In spite of this yield surface reduction, the stress at the maximum strain level cannot
decrease during cyclic loading. Therefore, the hardening rate of the model has to be increased parallel with
the shrinkage of the yield surface. At the transitional range the model parameters are updated to reach the
appropriate stress level when the strain amplitudes reach the maximum. The material model contains five
simple Chaboche-models. The first Chaboche-model reproduces the hardening between the virgin and the
saturation tendencies, while the second and third models describe the hardening observed in cyclic
experiments. Approaching the transition end, the PRESCOM model tends to the model with the cyclic
parameter set. Further details of parameter updating are in [6].

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Fig. 2. Parameter updating of PRESCOM model

Model parameter calibration

Model parameters are determined by the trial and error method using the experimental results of Youngjiu
et al. [4], as the basis of calibration. Two series of experiments with a total of 50 tests on Q235B and Q345B
steel specimens were studied by the authors using several different load protocols. The experimental
monotonic and hysteresis behaviour, ductility characteristics and cumulative damage degradation are
discussed in the paper in detail. The results of the Q345B specimens are used for calibration. The numerical
model is a simply supported, cuboid shape, that can describe the material behaviour without the influence of
element geometry. The recommended parameters are in [6]. Parameters of the transitional Chaboche-models
are calculated from the cyclic parameter set by three constants, for the calibration [4, 5] are used.
Monotonic and cyclic behaviour
The presented model is compared to experimental test results. As the result of the above detailed procedure,
the PRESCOM model is able to describe the observed performance. Fig. 3. shows the model behaviour
under monotonic loading, with and without previous loading.

Fig. 3. Behaviour of PRESCOM model under monotonic loading: a) pure virgin and cyclic behaviour; (b) in the function of
maximal relevant plastic strain experienced in preloading

The dynamic updating of parameters makes it possible to describe the transition between the two stages. The
initial hardening parameter of the first Chaboche-model decreases as a function of previous loading causing
lower virtual yield surface; and the C value of the second and third models increases, causing additional
hardening. Fig. 4. illustrates the model behaviour under static and cyclic loading, respectively. The obtained
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results are sufficiently accurate.

Fig. 4. Behaviour of the developed model under cyclic loading with (a) proportionally increased amplitudes of loading; (b)
constant proportional loading.

Buckling Restrained Brace model development

Using the above detailed steel material, a Buckling Restrained Brace model is developed, analysed and
calibrated. Displacement controlled quasi-uniaxial cyclic load tests have been performed at the Structural
Laboratory, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, on a total of six specimens using a
combined loading protocol of EN 15129 and ECCS, [8, 9]; for model calibration results of EWC800 is used
[10, 11]. For details on each test refer to the test reports.
Description of numerical model
The numerical model developed in ANSYS software, using solid elements. The complexity of the BRB
devices requires the use of several advanced modelling tools, such as combined hardening, cyclic material
plasticity, plastic buckling, contact problem and friction. The four major parts of the model are shown in Fig.
5. The scaled PRESCOM model is adjusted with the material of the core, while the casing and the concrete
are assumed to be linearly elastic.
Serendipity solid element type (SOLID186) and quadratic mesh is used, resulting in the most accurate
solution of a given element size. In order to reduce computation time and improve convergence, symmetry
plains are defined and one quarter of the member is modelled (Fig. 6).

Steel hollow section: 25 mm mesh

and elastic material (E=210 GPa,
=0.3).
Concrete: 20-40 mm mesh and elastic
material
(E=21 GPa, =0.18).
Steel core: 10-40 mm mesh and
PRESCOM material model.
Air gap: contact and target element
with initial contact offset and friction.

Fig. 5. Features of numerical BRB model

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Fig. 6. Longitudinal section, mesh and boundary condition of model

Loading and boundary condition

Analysis type is quasi-static displacement controlled according to experimental test and standards
specifications, with automatic time-stepping (Fig. 7). The maximum numbers of iteration is maximized in
200 in a sub-step. In order to improve convergence, the force label convergence criteria are softened
(normalized value is set from 1% to 5%), special contact parameters are used, and the normal penalty
stiffness factor (FKN) and the penetration tolerance factor (FTOLN) are set to get more soft contact. (FKN is
set form 1 to 0.1 and FTOLN is set from 0.1 to 0.01).
50

Displacement [mm]

30
10
-10
-30
-50
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Cycle #

Fig. 7. Applied combined loading protocol according to EN 15129 and ECCS [8, 9]

Calibration of material model

The first step of the calibration is performed at the material level. The above detailed material model is
calibrated and verified using data obtained from previous research [4]. Youngjiu et al. describes the test
result on a specific steel material (Q345B) common in China. The experimental monotonic and hysteresis
behaviour, ductility characteristics and cumulative damage degradation are discussed in the paper in detail.
The yield stress and the ultimate stress was fy,Q345=429 N/mm2 and fu,Q345=589 N/mm2.
European steel grade S235 is applied in the described BRB tests. The material of the steel core is examined,
by an independent accredited laboratory (AGMI Material Testing and Quality Management Ltd.). The
investigation is limited only for monotonic steel behaviour. The actual measured properties are fy,BRB=290
N/mm2 yield stress and fu,BRB=426 N/mm2 tensile strength. Therefore the parameters of PRESCOM model of
BRB is rescaled to account for the difference in yield stress and ultimate stress to get appropriate properties.
This scaling does not affect the post-yield cyclic hardening behaviour (Fig. 8).
600
400

Stress
[Mpa]

(a)

600 Stress
[Mpa]
400

(b)

200

200

-200

-200

-400

-400

S235

-600

-600

Q345B

-4%

-2%

0%
Strain [-]

2%

4%

-2%

0%

2%

Strain [-]

Fig. 8. Rescaling of PRESCOM model for S235 steel material

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Analyses and results

During the calibration of BRB member, the effect of applied element size, contact settings, and convergence
problems are examined. The used mesh is relatively coarse, but refining the mesh has hardly any influence
on the accuracy of the global response. Furthermore the convergence problem of contacts is exponentially
increasing as the number of contact elements rising; therefore it is numerically advantageous using large
element. The effect of increasing convergence criteria on numerical accuracy is studied; it is obtained, that it
does not have influence on the global tendency of hysteresis behaviour, and facilitate the convergence.
The response of BRB member is very similar to the pure material model behaviour at tension side of
hysteresis loops. However special and important behaviour factors are observed during compression (Fig.
9/a). The pinching effect is a specific behaviour of BRB device, which means that additional resisting at
compression loading observed at experiments. (For describing the additional resistance at compression is
characterised by the compression strength adjustment factor in AISC. [2]) The numerical investigation
shows, that the used friction influences the compression strength adjustment factor. It is important to note,
that the used contact stiffness, friction coefficient and air gap, interact with each other, and they have joint
influence on the experienced value of friction forces. Fig. 9/b shows the hysteretic behaviour at the 25th cycle
in the function of used coefficient of friction. Moreover the test of six specimens produced factor from
1.15 to 1.38. The significant variation of is caused by the sensitivity of friction conditions; this sensibility
is also applied in the numerical model.
(b)

(a) 400
200

100

Froce [kN]

Froce [kN]

300

-200

-100

-400

-300
-500
-40

material level

-600

BRB level
-20
0
20
40
Displacement [mm]

-800
-40

-20

=0

=0,05

=0,1

=0,15

0
20
Displacement [mm]

40

Fig. 9. a) Difference between the material and BRB device behaviour; b) effect of the coefficient of friction.

The distribution of plastic deformation is also analysed. Additional stress appears at the transition zone of
steel core that results in significant additional plastic deformation and contraction at the end of the yielding
zone during compression. When applying friction, further axial stress occurs, causing additional contraction.
Furthermore the contraction causes additional friction, by the reduction of air gap.
This phenomena causes the increase of the resistance at compression side of the loops (Fig. 9/a and Fig
10/a). The distribution of positive plastic strain is also not balanced. Greater value is observed at the middle
third of the member. The similar results are shown by test results: the rupture of BRB is occurred at the same
location.
(a)

(b)

Fig. 10. (a) Verified BRB model, and test results; (b) updating of PRESCOM model

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The calibrated model is satisfactory, as confirmed by Fig. 10/a. Fig. 10/b. shows the updating of PRESCOM
model during the loading. After the 1th load cycle, the brace stayed elastic and monotonic set is used. The
first plasticity of core appears after the 5th load cycle, at transition zone (see Fig. 6). As the deformation
amplitude is increasing, the plasticity extends to the whole yielding zone at the 10th cycle, switching the
PRESCOM model to transitional state. With increasing relevant plastic strains, the number of cyclic set
element is growing. After the 30th load cycle, the whole yielding zone is switched to cyclic set.

Conclusions
In the paper a BRB model development is presented. The importance of appropriate steel material model is
essential for these devices. A Chaboche based material model is developed, which is able to describe all the
important cyclic steel phenomena. The material model calibrated and the accuracy is proved by various
loading conditions. Using the detailed cyclic steel material, a complex finite element BRB model is
developed. The model is able to describe the combined hardening, cyclic material plasticity, plastic buckling,
contact problem and friction. It is shown that the features of the experienced hysteretic phenomena, can be
followed by the model. The model is calibrated on material and device level, and the problems of
convergence is analysed. The effect of friction on the experienced pinching behaviour is shown. The
applying friction forces are influenced by the interaction of the contact stiffness, friction coefficient and air
gap parameters. The model is very sensitive for the friction phenomenon corresponds with test results.
Future research is to expand and verify the model with further test results, and develop a reliable numerical
model for general BRB analysis and device development.

Acknowledgement
The completed research has been supported by the project Talent care and cultivation in the scientific
workshops of BME" project by the grant TMOP 4.2.2.B-10/12010-0009. The author would like to
express his gratitude to the Tsinghua University, Department of Civil Engineering for providing the steel
material test results, and to the Star Seismic Europe Ltd. for the laboratory test results.

References
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Budahzy, V.: Modelling of the Hysteretic Behaviour of Buckling Restrained Braces