Experimental investigation on cyclic performance of rotation-based metallic damper

Abstract

Metallic yielding devices have been widely used for improving seismic performance of buildings. However, metallic dampers currently in use are often attached to structural systems through brace components, potentially causing conflicts with architectural requirements. In this study, a metallic damper that utilizes the angular deformation generated at the beam-column connection under lateral loads is proposed. The seismic input energy can be dissipated through inelastic deformations of hyperbolic-shaped steel bars. Firstly, this paper introduces the configuration and design concept of the newly proposed rotation-based metallic damper (RMD). Then, in order to investigate the hysteretic behavior and failure modes of the proposed devices, a total of twelve RMD specimens were fabricated, and quasistatic tests were conducted. Subsequently, the influences of physical characteristics associated with hyperbolic-shaped steel bars on the energy dissipation performance of RMD were studied. Finally, finite element analysis was conducted based on the detailed models of RMD specimens, and the results showed a good agreement with the experimental data. The results demonstrate that the RMD exhibits a sound energy dissipation capacity. It is replaceable and flexible in architectural arrangements due to its low space requirements, which is friendly in engineering practice.