Development and experimental study of a self-centering variable damping energy dissipation brace. (1st April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Long-He; Xie, Xing-Si; Li, Zhong-Xian
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 160(2018)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 280
• Publication Date: 2018-04-01
• Subjects: Self-centering energy dissipation brace -- Magnetorheological fluid -- Variable damping -- Hysteretic behavior -- Cyclic test; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.01.051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Highlights: A self-centering variable damping energy dissipation (SC-VDED) brace is proposed. A series of cyclic tests of a large-scale SC-VDED brace specimen were carried out. Brace exhibits quasi-flag-shaped hysteretic responses with large energy dissipation. Fatigue and destructive tests demonstrate that brace has stable seismic behaviors. Abstract: A new self-centering variable damping energy dissipation (SC–VDED) brace is proposed to reduce the activation force and sudden change in stiffness after activation of self-centering energy dissipation braces. The brace uses the combination disc springs to provide self-centering capability and the structural design of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid device to realize variable damping energy dissipation. The mechanics of the SC–VDED brace and the equations governing its design and hysteretic responses are presented. A brace specimen with a total length of 1.365 m was designed and fabricated, and a series of cyclic tests were carried out under the sinusoidal excitation with different frequencies and amplitudes. Results demonstrate that the brace exhibits full quasi-flag-shaped hysteretic responses, a small activation force, few sudden change in stiffness, and large energy dissipation. The pre-pressed force of the combination disc springs should be larger than the initial damping force, and their stiffness should be increased to give full play to the self-centering and energy dissipation capabilities of the brace. Fatigue and destructive test results indicate that the behaviors of the brace are stable enough to provide self-centering and energy dissipation capabilities, and the loose and severe stress concentration of the outer tube clamps cause the brace to fail.