Investigation of Cable Bracing in Buildings and Cables Pre-Tension Force Range

To resist lateral loads in concrete buildings, usually systems such as flexural frame, shear wall or their combinations are used. Using X form of cable bracing in order to strengthen concrete buildings is a new method. This system is more economical compared with the other systems due to cables low weight, high tensile resistance, easy performance and less maintenance problems. In this system pre-tensioned cables are used to increase the stiffness of structure and more reduction in frame lateral displacements. The amount of pre-tensioning has a specific range, exceeding of which does not cause considerable reduction in frame displacements. By modeling and analyzing two one-storey frames using SAP 2000 package, the mentioned range has been discussed and shown. By analyzing more frame structures, it can be said that using cable bracing has reduced considerably the lateral displacements of storeys and also increased considerably frame shear resistant capacity. The results of analyzing of buildings have verified the above mentioned results.