A self-centering buckling restrained brace (SC-BRB) was developed using shape memory alloy (SMA) rods to create a restoring force through a pre-compressed configuration of concentric tubes, and a buckling restrained brace (BRB) element to introduce energy dissipation. The SC-BRB concept has been validated by experimental testing (Miller et al. 2012).Based on the
experimental data, a calibrated computational model capable of capturing SC-BRB behavior was
developed. A new cyclic material model was created and implemented to simulate the behavior
of SMA rods, and both the SMA and BRB components were calibrated to match experimental
behavior. Two computational studies were then conducted. A computational investigation of 147
single braces subjected to cyclic loading was used to investigate the effect of varying key design
variables, such as self-centering ratio, brace axial strength, SMA initial stress, and SMA gage
length, on response parameters such as energy dissipation and drift at zero force. The second
computational study investigated the seismic response of fifteen prototype buildings designed
using SC-BRBs. The prototype buildings were subjected to a suite of ground motions scaled to
two hazard levels and response parameters were analyzed. Based on the results of both
computational studies, conclusions are made related to the application of SC-BRBs to buildings in
practice, including recommendations for the proportioning of SC-BRBs to obtain desirable seismic
performance.