Asian Journal of Civil Engineering
[Link]
RESEARCH
A new approach to retrofit the diagrid structures using an improved
outrigger-braced system
Abbas Abdulkarim Dunin1 · Farhad Hosseinlou1 · Mojtaba Labibzadeh1 · Abbas Rezaeian1
Received: 4 March 2024 / Accepted: 13 April 2024
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024
Abstract
This paper examined the effect of outrigger braces with improved arrangements on the seismic performance of diagrid
steel structures to enhance the performance of a diagrid structural system. To this aim, a tall steel structure was selected
and equipped with outrigger braces by placing truss braces in three different positions and arrangements, including hori-
zontal, V-shaped, and Λ -shaped (IV-shaped). The V- and Λ -shaped arrangements constituted an improved outrigger-braced
system. Perform3D was utilized for modeling and nonlinear incremental dynamic analysis (NIDA). Finally, the fragility
curves for the models were derived through IDA analysis and a log-normal probability distribution. The numerical analysis
demonstrated that improved outrigger braces would significantly enhance the seismic performance of high-rise buildings
with a diagrid system. The location of the truss belt on the 25th and 50th floors dramatically improved the structure’s
seismic performance and collapse margin ratio (CMR). Thus, the CMR value of the outrigger-braced models on the 25th
and 50th floors was about 2.33 times the base model. Besides, the V-shaped truss belt in the outrigger system exhibited
the best seismic performance. The CMR value peaked in this arrangement. The results of the pushover analysis showed
that equipping diagrid tall buildings with outrigger braces had little effect on structural flexibility and only increased the
energy absorption of the system.
Keywords Outrigger brace · Improved configuration · Tall buildings · Seismic retrofitting · Collapse margin criteria
Introduction complex structures and tall buildings due to its architec-
tural advantages, appropriate performance, and convenient
In response to the swift increase in urban population and construction procedure (Zhang, 2013). A framework made
ensuing land scarcity, a notable surge in tall building con- up of inclined elements called a diagrid structural system
struction started in the 18th century, particularly in the is employed during construction to give steel structural
United States. The earliest tall buildings had straightfor- elements more rigidity (Asadi & Adeli, 2017; Liu et al.,
ward structural designs that relied on traditional moment- 2018). The outrigger-braced system is one of the best struc-
resisting frames. But as time went on, new typologies—like tural systems for withstanding lateral loads. It comprises
diagrid systems—arose that are now acknowledged as effec- a central core made of braced frames or shear walls, with
tive structural systems with great aesthetic potential that can deep girders or horizontal outrigger trusses joining it to the
effectively withstand lateral loads with no vertical columns. columns around it. A structural system’s effectiveness is
As technology advanced and mass production increased, determined by how well it can withstand increasing lateral
the diagrid structure gained popularity as a system for loads, a capacity that rises with building height. Stability
designing tall buildings made of steel structures (Kim, 2012; and stiffness, rather than strength, are more crucial in high-
Moon et al., 2007). This system is superior to designing rise building design to withstand greater lateral and gravity
loads (Mele et al., 2014). Tall steel buildings typically use
braced and moment-resisting frames as lateral load-resisting
systems. Braced frames offer stiffness while moment-resist-
Farhad Hosseinlou
[Link]@[Link] ing frames give ductility via yielding, but their flexibility
prevents them from meeting stiffness requirements. The
1
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shahid
Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
13