Energy dissipaters constructed in precast structures play an important fuse-type role in concentrating damage and protecting the primary structure. The stable tensile and compressive deformation capacity, easier fabrication method, and relatively lower cost are expected in energy dissipater to further enrich its practical application. In this paper, a new bamboo-shaped fuse-type energy dissipater consisting of an inner bamboo-shaped core with slubs and an outer circular tube was developed with high-precision, all-metal machining, avoiding the adverse effect of grouting and welding. The aluminum alloy was applied to fabricate the proposed energy dissipater to improve the durability. A series of tests, containing 12 specimens, was performed to address the low-cycle fatigue behavior of bamboo-shaped dissipaters, and stable hysteretic curves were obtained without any local and overall buckling. The deformation of the core was evidently affected by slubs, which were restrained by the outer tube. Furthermore, parametric studies on design variables including length of segments, the length of slubs, the number of segments, and the size of gap between the slub and the tube are performed. On the basis of test results of all specimens, aluminum alloy bamboo-shaped dissipaters show a promising future for wide application in new or retrofitted buildings, which require excellent seismic behavior and durability. KEYWORDS aluminum alloy, bamboo-shaped, energy dissipaters, low-cycle fatigue 1 | INTRODUCTION In China, structural engineers' attention has been drawn to the structural vibration control after the destructive 2008 WenChuan and 2010 YuShu earthquakes, especially to the improvement of the structural performance using energy dissipation devices. During a moderate or severe earthquake, energy dissipation devices acting as ductile fuses are expected to concentrate the structural damage in the devices, which provide the protection for the primary structure and the possibility of structural resilience. For example, buckling-restrained brace (BRB), a type of metal energy dissipation device, exhibits extremely stable hysteretic behavior through inelastic deformation. A typical BRB consists of an inner component and an outer restraining component, where the former bears axial forces and the latter prevents the buckling of the former. There are many behavior investigations and system applications of BRBs, which proves that the implementation of BRBs in both building [1,2] and bridge engineering [3] is of real use. To deepen the understanding of the working mechanism of BRBs, the effects of weld of the rib, [4] stopper, [5] unbonding material, [6] and local torsional buckling [7] on the low-cycle fatigue performance of BRB were carefully investigated and analyzed. All achievements obtained in working mechanism of BRB are available in developing the new all-metal BRB.The precast concrete structures have been paid wide attention and strongly favored by government policies in China. In terms of improving the energy dissipation capaci...