Hysteresis analysis of a vertical shear link Abaqus

Product Overview

In this example, we intend to simulate the hysteresis analysis of a vertical shear link (VSL2) in the Abaqus software.

The vertical shear link is a key energy-dissipating component in a vertical eccentrically braced frame (V-EBF), where significant nonlinear deformation is concentrated in the link. VSL2 includes web stiffeners that provide additional restraint to the shear web and help delay web buckling under cyclic loading.

The numerical results obtained from Abaqus are compared with the experimental results reported for VSL2 to evaluate the ability of the numerical model to reproduce the main force–displacement hysteresis response and deformation behavior of the tested shear link.

Cyclic Loading

In this problem, cyclic loading is applied to the top of the vertical shear link to investigate its hysteretic behavior.

The cyclic loading history is defined in Abaqus using the corresponding amplitude data.

Hysteresis Diagram

Following the application of cyclic loading, the hysteresis diagram is obtained from the Abaqus results.

As you observe in the picture, the Force-Displacement hysteresis diagram obtained from the Abaqus software is compared with the experimental results.

Deformation and Web Buckling

Under cyclic loading, the web of the vertical shear link undergoes significant shear deformation and develops nonlinear deformation as the loading increases.

The Abaqus model is used to investigate the development of web deformation and shear buckling during cyclic loading. The stiffeners provide additional restraint to the web and help delay the development of excessive buckling deformation.

The numerical results provide a clear view of the deformation pattern of the shear link and the development of web buckling throughout the loading history.

Validation

This project has been validated, which means that the results obtained from the Abaqus software are similar to the results reported in the reference article.

In other words, this project is based on the reference article, and the numerical model has been developed to reproduce the hysteretic behavior of the vertical shear link.

What You Will Learn

• How to model a vertical shear link in Abaqus.
• How to define the material properties.
• How to define the boundary conditions.
• How to apply cyclic loading to the top of the vertical shear link.
• How to define the cyclic loading amplitude.
• How to obtain the hysteresis diagram.
• How to compare the Abaqus hysteresis diagram with experimental results.
• How to investigate the deformation of the model.
• How to validate the numerical model using the reference article.

Key Features

• Vertical shear link modeling in Abaqus.
• Cyclic loading analysis.
• Hysteresis analysis.
• Comparison between Abaqus and experimental hysteresis results.
• Deformation analysis of the model.
• Validation against the reference article.
• Complete Abaqus CAE file.
• Abaqus INP file.
• Excel file (Amplitude Loading).
• Excel file (Results).
• Reference research paper.
• Step-by-step video tutorial.

Reference

This project is based on the reference research article. The paper is included with the project files and can be used to review the experimental model, cyclic loading protocol, and reported results.