Investigation of Mixed Bracing Configurations for Superior Seismic Performance in High-Rise Structures

Tall buildings are particularly vulnerable to lateral movements and torsional deflections when subjected to earthquake forces. To maintain structural stability and mitigate these effects, increasing the building's lateral stiffness is essential. One of the most commonly used methods for achieving this is the incorporation of bracing systems within the frame structure. These systems function by transferring lateral loads into axial tension and compression forces in the members, similar to the behavior of a truss. This project presents a detailed review of existing literature on the behavior and analysis of various bracing systems. The studies examined cover several types of bracing configurations, such as K-bracing, V-bracing, inverted V-bracing, X-bracing, and single diagonal bracing. The general consensus across these studies emphasizes that implementing bracing significantly reduces lateral deflections and enhances the stability of tall structures under seismic loading. Building on these insights, the proposed research focuses on investigating a mixed bracing system, which combines elements from different conventional configurations. The goal is to achieve an optimized balance of lateral stiffness and structural stability, addressing the complex challenges posed by earthquake loads on tall buildings. Through thorough analytical modeling and experimental studies, the project aims to advance understanding of mixed bracing systems and their effectiveness. Ultimately, the research seeks to provide practical recommendations for improving the seismic performance and resilience of tall buildings, contributing valuable knowledge to the field of structural engineering.