Investigation of buckled brace system of an existing industrial building

In this study, the buckled brace system of a steel mill structure that has survived the Kocaeli (Marmara) Earthquake of 1999 was investigated. Three-dimensional computer model of the existing industrial building was generated using the commercially available finite element analysis software SAP2000. Evaluation of the structure for earthquake loading was performed according to the current national standard by using 3D computer model. For the buckled brace system, buckling analyses were carried out to evaluate buckling force. The obtained buckling force was compared with the corresponding earthquake load of this brace. Finally, it was seen that the buckling force was greater than earthquake force and the buckling has not occurred due to earthquake actions.