Influence of Friction Devices on the Nonlinear Seismic Response of Steel Structures

Abstract eng:
This paper investigates the influence of friction devices on the nonlinear seismic response of steel structures. For this purpose a steel frame structure is designed according to the rules of the recent Eurocodes. Four frame types are investigated: type 0 (frame without friction devices), type 1 (friction devices only in the ground level), type 2 (friction devices in all the stories), type 3 (friction devices in all the stories except the ground level). The devices are placed as diagonal trusses in the middle bay of the frame. They are realized as slotted bolt connections. Alternative friction forces are considered. Nonlinear dynamic analyses are carried out for the evaluation of the structural response. The focus is on the maximum inter-story drift ratio (MISDR), which among the several response parameters is chosen as damage index. A set of natural accelerograms is used as seismic excitation for the analysis. Numerical results expose that friction devices reduce the seismic response of steel structures with appropriate number of devices and a sufficient amount of friction forces. Alternative calculations furnish the optimum topology for the devices and the corresponding amounts of friction forces. The mean MISDR is reduced in the optimal case up to 57%, in comparison to the response of the frame without damping devices. Extreme values of the MISDR are also reduced, with a reduction percentage greater than 50%. Thus, friction devices can be used for the preseismic strengthening or postseismic rehabilitation of steel structures.

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