Effects of Different Design Parameters on the Seismic Performance of Aluminium Foam-Filled Steel Tubular Braced Light-Gauge Steel Frames

In order to enhance the lateral stiffness， overall bearing capacity， and post-yield buckling deformation resistance of frame-braced structures， and to delay the buckling failure of braces， this study proposed a light-gauge steel frame structure with aluminum foam-filled circular steel tubes as bracing members and investigated its seismic performance. Following rigorous validation of the finite element model’s reliability， eighty numerical models of single-story， single-span concentrically braced light-gauge steel frames infilled with aluminum foam were developed. Key variables investigated were brace slenderness ratio （λ）， diameter-to-thickness ratio （D/t）， and aluminum foam porosity （K）. The models underwent quasi-static loading to comprehensively examine the influence of these parameters on seismic performance， focusing on aspects such as skeleton curves， stiffness degradation， and ductility coefficients. The study identified optimal design ranges： braces should have a slenderness ratio between 55 and 80 and a diameter-to-thickness ratio within 50-70， coupled with an aluminum foam porosity of 60%. Furthermore， when feasible， diameter-to-thickness ratios should be capped at 70， 50， and 30 for slenderness ratios of 55， 80， and 100~120， respectively. These constraints ensure the structure achieves superior ultimate strength， deformation capacity， stiffness retention， ductility， and energy dissipation capabilities.