A dissipative replaceable bracing component for steel-composite building frames

The rapid restoration of buildings after earthquakes has highlighted the need for structural systems that are both dissipative and repairable. Despite advancements in dissipative technologies, uncertainties surrounding reparability impede their widespread adoption. The EU-RFCS DISSIPABLE project (2018–2022) addressed this challenge by developing innovative steel components designed for easy dissipation and replacement. This paper investigates the Dissipative Replaceable Bracing Connection (DRBrC), offering a comparison of experimental and numerical analyses conducted at both the component and full-scale structural levels. Building on prior studies that extensively examined these components, it provides a systematic discussion of the findings across diverse experimental setups. Results demonstrate that the DRBrC meets EN 1998–1 standards under varying seismic intensities, aligning with capacity design principles. Additionally, a practical post-earthquake repair guide is given highlighing the system’s economic and environmental advantages, emphasizing its simplicity and sustainability compared to conventional methods.