In this paper a new type of earthquake energy dissipation element has been introduced. The element is supposed to be used as a supplementary element in concentrically braced frames to improve the ductility of the whole system. Such elements usually yields before critically (instability) load of the braced systems. Using this approach, during a strong earthquake cause only this element yields and other frame elements (beams, columns, braces, connections) should be remain in the elastic range of behaviors. The current studies have theoretically and experimentally investigated the application of this special link element.
The importance of such mechanism is the ability of this device in dissipation of the input earthquake energy by using torsional behaviors.
This member could be used as a fuse element in seismic design and rehabilitation of the concentrically braced frames