Experimental and numerical study of enhanced elongation self-centring beams

Abstract

An enhanced elongation self-centring beam (ESCB) was developed in this study for use in short-span buildings. Disc springs were inserted into the beam body to provide additional elastic elongation while avoiding unexpected yielding via an overload-protective component. The mechanics of the ESCB in a frame and the equations governing its hysteresis were explained in detail. After the hysteretic behaviours of the ESCB frame were further validated using experimental and numerical approaches, a new hysteretic model was established to accurately reproduce its dynamic behaviours under seismic loads. The dynamic analyses from the established hysteretic model showed that the ESCB systems had smaller mean peak displacements and minimal mean residual displacements than the original self-centring beam systems.