Cyclic behavior of self-centering frame-shear wall substructure with disc spring-based devices

Abstract

This study explores the seismic performance of the self-centering frame-shear wall (SCFS) substructure, which combines the disc spring device (DSD) and the disc spring-based self-centering brace (SCB) for reinforced concrete (RC) shear walls and frames, respectively. First, the behaviors of DSD and SCB are manufactured, investigated and simulated. Subsequently, the RC frame-shear wall (RCFS) and SCFS substructures are tested. The experimental results are used not only to identify the significant resilience improvement from disc spring-based devices but also to build and verify finite element model. Based on the prototype model, two models that contain only DSDs or SCBs are developed and tested. The numerical simulation shows that DSDs and SCBs are both essential for reducing residual displacement and concrete damage. Moreover, the SCB is key to build an SCFS substructure with a comparable shear bearing capacity to the corresponding RCFS substructure. Furthermore, two symmetrical SCFS substructures are modeled and studied. The design approach for SCBs in the equivalent twin-braced SCFS is proposed. The results indicate that the twin-braced system performs better to control the residual displacment than the single-braced system. Nevertheless, the twin-braced system costs more for the SCBs.

Keywords: Self-centering frame-shear wall structure, braced frame, Disc spring, Residual displacement, Resilient structure