Comparison of the seismic performance of steel braced frames designed in the framework of EC8

Different types of steel braced structures can be adopted in seismic areas. The European seismic code provides design prescriptions only for concentrically or eccentrically braced frames, while design procedures of innovative bracings are available only in literature. Although the seismic response of braced frames has been investigated by many authors, a comparative study of the seismic performance of different types of bracings is not available. Hence, this paper compares the seismic response of some steel braced frames designed according to different design procedures. The seismic response of the considered steel braced frames is evaluated by nonlinear incremental dynamic analysis and the fragility curves corresponding to the achievement of assigned limit states are computed and compared. Finally, the considered frames are compared in terms of cost of structural steel.