Evaluating the Effect of Buckling-restrained Braces in Steel Buildings against Progressive Failure Using Different Simulation Strategies

Ignoring the primary damage to structural components due to blast load or fire is the alternate load path (APM) method's weakness in progressive failure analysis. The new technique used in this study examines the structure's more realistic responses by considering the initial cause of the failure. Also, buckling-restrained braces (BRBs) are applied to diminish the potential for progressive failure in braced steel buildings. Variables include the type of primary local loading (APM, blast loading, and heat caused by fire), the position of column removal in the plan (inner and outer frame), the type of brace (BRB and CB), and the number of stories (3, 5, and 8 stories). The buildings were simulated using ABAQUS. The results showed that BRBs in steel buildings under blast load, compared to conventional braces, reduce the potential of progressive failure. The use of BRBs provides much more energy absorption than conventional bracing systems due to brace buckling prevention.