Overstrength of shear links in eccentric braces

The paper presents a study on shear link overstrength, which is defined as the ratio between the peak inelastic and the yield strength. Three basic parameters are devised as generally influencing shear overstrength: (i) axial forces acting on the link, (ii) the ratio of link flange over web area and (iii) the ratio between link length and cross section depth. The study presented does not consider the case of axial forces directly applied to the link, but the tensile axial forces developing as a consequence of axial restraints are taken into account. Numerical analysis of finite element (FE) models has been carried out in order to ascertain the combined influence of these factors on the plastic overstrength. A simple analytical model is proposed on the basis of FE model analysis results. The analytical predictions are compared with results of available experimental test results, showing satisfactory agreement.