Analytical estimation of the key performance points of the tensile force-displacement response of Crescent Shaped Braces

The technical note investigates the tensile force-displacement response of the hysteretic steel yielding brace known as Crescent Shaped Brace and characterized by a boomerang-like geometrical shape. The force-displacement curve is governed by three key performance points which correspond to the transition points separating the initial elastic behaviour, the flexural plastic behaviour, the geometrical hardening behaviour and the final axial plastic behaviour. In particular, the influence of the main geometrical parameter of the device, the so-called “lever arm”, on the strongly non-linear force-displacement behavior is analyzed by means of a simplified kinematic model. Based on this, analytical estimations of the key performance points are derived and compared with numerically simulated force-displacement curves.