He Qingguang, Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention & Mitigation of Civil Engineering, University of Technology, Lanzhou, China; Western Engineering Research Center of Disaster Prevention & Mitigation of Civil Engineering, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou, China.

Xu Li, Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention & Mitigation of Civil Engineering, University of Technology, Lanzhou, China.

Wang He, Key Laboratory of Disaster Prevention & Mitigation of Civil Engineering, University of Technology, Lanzhou, China.

This paper introduces a new design form for frame structure with self-centering energy dissipative rocking columns. Corner braces as key elements are installed in both sides of the rocking columns to improve the performance of the frame structure, such as the restorability and the capability in energy dissipation. Five single-span framework models of reinforced concrete are formulated by the finite element software OpenSees to simulate elastic-plastic dynamic response under different intensity ground motions, such as frequent, fortification and rare earthquake. Analysis results show that story acceleration and residual displacement of the innovative structure can be reduced significantly compared with conventional RC structures, while using self-centering energy dissipative rocking columns; in addition, under the rare earthquake, story displacements and inter-story drift ratio are slightly less than the traditional framework. References Priestley M J N, Tao J, Seismic response of precast prestressed concrete frames with partially debonded tendons [J]. PCI Journal, 1993, 38 (1): 58-69.

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