The researches related to active control systems utilizing superelastic shape memory alloys (SMA) have been recently conducted to reduce critical damage due to lateral deformation after severe earthquakes. Although Superelastic SMAs undergo considerable inelastic deformation, they can return to original conditions without heat treatment only after stress removal. We can expect the mitigation of residual deformation owing to inherent recentering characteristics when these smart materials are installed at the part where large deformation is likely to occur. Therefore, the primary purpose of this research is to develop concentrically braced frames (CBFs) with superelastic SMA bracing systems and to evaluate the seismic performance of such frame structures. In order to investigate the inter-story drift response of CBF structures, 3- and 6-story buildings were design according to current design specifications, and then nonlinear time-history analyses were performed on numerical 2D frame models. Based on the numerical analysis results, it can be comparatively verified that the CBFs with superelastic SMA bracing systems have more structural advantages in terms of energy dissipation and recentering behavior than those with conventional steel bracing systems.

Concrete filled steel tube (CFT) columns have been widely used in moment resisting frame structures both in seismic zones. This paper discusses the design of such members based on the advanced methods introduced in the 2005 AISC Specification and the 2005 Seismic Provisions. This study focuses particularly on design following both linear and nonlinear methods utilizing equivalent static and dynamic loads for low-rise moment frames. The paper begins with an examination of the significance of pseudo-elastic design interaction equations and the plastic ductility demand ratios due to combined axial compressive force and bending moment in CFT members. Based on advanced computational simulations for a series of five-story composite moment frames, this paper then investigates both building performance and new techniques to evaluate building damage during a strong earthquake. It is shown that 2D equivalent static analyses can provide good design approximations to the force distributions in moment frames subjected to large inelastic lateral loads. Dynamic analyses utilizing strong ground motions generally produce higher strength ratios than those from equivalent static analyses, but on more localized basis. In addition, ductility ratios obtained from the nonlinear dynamic analysis are sufficient to detect which CFT columns undergo significant deformations.