Moment frames are a widely used seismic force-resisting system that relies on the bending deformation of beams to dissipate seismic energy. Although effective, these frames can exhibit vulnerabilities during severe seismic events. To mitigate this, structural fuses, strategically placed in beam-to-column connections, can protect other structural elements from damage. This research explores a novel approach to fuse design, combining the concept of link fuse with weakening techniques and seismic enhancement methods. The goal is to maximize energy dissipation and damage localization within the fuse, minimizing impact on the overall structural system. For this purpose, a reference model with a reduced flange section along with five reduced-web section methods was investigated. The methods are flexural butterfly (with and without sharp corners), shear butterfly, circular, elliptical, and slit-reduced sections. The base model demonstrated the highest energy dissipation capacity. The flexural butterfly fuses, with and without sharp corners, exhibited superior ductility and maximum displacement capacities, respectively. The elliptical fuse proved to be the most resilient, showing minimal degradation and ranking third overall. The slit fuse effectively localized damage, reducing stress on other components.

This research investigates the seismic performance of a novel cable bracing system incorporating a central steel plate for retrofitting reinforced concrete (RC) and steel frames. Cable bracing systems, with their high strength-to-weight ratio and flexibility, offer a promising solution but face challenges like low ductility and buckling potential. To enhance the performance of these systems, a central steel plate is introduced to mitigate these issues. The methodology includes reproducing and validating three reference models: steel frames with and without X-bracing, and an RC frame with cable bracing and a central steel plate. These models are subjected to cyclic loading in SAP2000, using non-linear elastoplastic behavior for beams and columns, and nonlinear catenary behavior for the cables. A 2D RC frame is then retrofitted with the cable bracing system and tested under nonlinear time-history analysis to assess its hysteretic behavior and seismic performance. Key findings demonstrate that the addition of cable bracing significantly improves yielding strength, stiffness, and energy dissipation, enhancing overall structural performance under lateral loads. The introduction of the central steel plate further enhances ductility and strength. Sensitivity analyses reveal that plate size, thickness, and cable diameter significantly influence seismic response, with larger and thicker plates, as well as increased cable pre-tensioning, improving performance. This research provides a foundation for future studies, emphasizing the need for experimental validation and exploring the system's performance under diverse seismic conditions and configurations.