Parametric Investigation of Self-Centering Prestressed Concrete Frame Structures with Variable Friction Dampers

Abstract

To enhance the structural stiffness and energy-dissipating capacity after the decompression of beam-to-column connections for self-centering prestressed concrete (SCPC) frames, this study presents the seismic performance of a new type of SCPC frame with variable friction dampers (VFDs). The structure is characterized by a third stiffness and a variable energy-dissipating capacity. A 5-story and an 8-story VFD-SCPC frame were selected as the analytical cases, and their numerical models were built based on OpenSees 3.3.0 finite-element software. Sixteen ground-motion records were selected as excitations for the analyses, and the influence of the second stiffness and the third stiffness for the VFD-SCPC connections, as well as the second activation for VFD, on the seismic performance of the structures, was studied. The results showed that increasing the stiffness (number) of prestressed strands and their distance to the center of the beam section can obviously increase the second stiffness of the structures, thus decreasing their displacement, while the distribution mode of inter-story drift along the building’s height cannot be changed. Increasing the third stiffness of the connections (the angle of slope sliding parts and the stiffness for the combination of disc springs) can effectively reduce the deformation of the structures under MCE (maximum-considered earthquakes) seismic levels and improve the energy-dissipation capacity of structures significantly. The premature secondary activation of VFD can enhance the loading capacity and energy-dissipation capacity of structures under both DBE (design-basis earthquakes) and MCE seismic levels, and reduce the inter-story drift of structures effectively.

A Review of Friction Dissipative Beam-to-Column Connections for the Seismic Design of MRFs

“…Regarding structural behavior optimization, fundamental research topics are more interconnected with each other, like the identification of the optimal values of the stiffness and resistance of the device (the latter termed as optimal slip load), the distributions of the latter in the plane and in elevation in the structure, the positions in which to place the device, and the prediction of performance in relation to the characteristics of the earthquake. In this context, since detailed FE modeling to trace device moment-curvature behavior is impractical for analyzing a complete structure, techniques using macro-modeling (e.g., Bouc-Wen model [55], and a suitably adapted [56] polygonal hysteretic model [57]), are often proposed and exploited for parametric analyses [22,[58][59][60].…”

“…2024, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 31 the latter in the plane and in elevation in the structure, the positions in which to place the device, and the prediction of performance in relation to the characteristics of the earthquake. In this context, since detailed FE modeling to trace device moment-curvature behavior is impractical for analyzing a complete structure, techniques using macro-modeling (e.g., Bouc-Wen model [55], and a suitably adapted [56] polygonal hysteretic model [57]), are often proposed and exploited for parametric analyses [22,[58][59][60]. Research focused on the design and optimization of devices can be roughly differentiated into experimental research and research conducted using numerical models.…”