Experimental and numerical investigations of a novel parallel double-stage crawler-track-shaped shear damper

Abstract

In this study, a novel parallel double-stage crawler-track-shaped shear damper (PDCSD) was developed, which is fabricated using thin-walled steel plates. An asynchronized double-stage working mechanism was achieved based on the parallel energy dissipation (inner and outer crawler-track-shaped steel plates), restraining (upper and lower restraining plates), and load transfer (outer and inner blockers with initial clearance) systems. Accordingly, theoretical equations for the skeleton curve of the PDCSD and the design load for the load transfer system were proposed. The double-stage working mechanism and performance of the PDCSD were verified based on full-scale seismic and fatigue performance tests. Subsequently, based on refined finite element analyze, the working mechanism of the PDCSD was revealed and the theoretical equations were validated. A simplified model of the PDCSD with an emphasize on the hysteretic behavior was conclusively recommended and validated against the test and simulation results obtained from the refined numerical models, providing an accurate and efficient approach for the seismic response control of structures equipped with PDCSDs.