Design of chevron braced frames based on the ultimate lateral strength II: Evaluation of the behavior factor

This paper is the second of two companion papers concerning the design and seismic response of steel braced frames in which the braces are configured in a chevron pattern. It presents a series of parametric analyses carried out for the evaluation of the value of behavior factor q adequate for chevron braced frames designed by the proposed method. It is assumed as adequate for the chevron braced frame the value of q that leads the braced frame to the maximum inter-story drift equal to that obtained for a reference frame. Such reference frame is a high ductility steel moment-resisting frame having the same number of stories and designed according to Eurocode8 (EC8). After the q -value adequate for the chevron braced frame is determined, the required cross-sectional areas of braces and seismic performances of braced frames designed according to both the EC8 and proposed methods are compared.