Core loaded earthquake resistant bracing system

Six core loaded sleeved specimens were designed and tested by subjecting them to a complete reversal cyclic loading. The specimens were designed to cover a range of slenderness ratios. The typical load deformation behavior of a specimen obtained from the experiments is plotted. The hysteresis is stable over many cycles without the strut suffering buckling as well as stiffness, ductility and strength degradation under reverse cyclic load as in the case of conventional bracing members. By appropriately choosing the design parameters of the strut, the desired levels of strength, stiffness and ductility can be obtained.