Experimental Study of Local Buckling, Overstrength, and Fracture of Links in Eccentrically Braced Frames

A total of 23 tests were conducted to study the cyclic loading performance of links in steel eccentrically braced frames. The objectives of these tests were to reevaluate flange slenderness limits and overstrength factors for links. The effect of loading history on link performance was also investigated. Link specimens were constructed from five different wide-flange sections, all of ASTM A992 steel, with various lengths ranging from short shear yielding links to very long flexural yielding links. In addition to providing data on the effects of flange buckling and overstrength, these tests also showed some unexpected failure modes. The paper provides an overview of this experimental investigation, describing the overall research program, as well as details of the test specimens and test results. The paper concludes with a number of design recommendations for links in eccentrically braced frames.