Experimental study on PSPC beam – Concrete encased CFST column frame installed with novel steel panel dampers

Abstract

A concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) column has a bearing capacity with a relatively small cross section. From the perspective of the assembly, a partially steel-reinforced precast concrete (PSPC) beam can combine the merits of both the reinforced concrete beam and steel beam. However, strong earthquake action puts forwards a dramatic seismic requirement for the high-rise frame. In this study, to improve the seismic performance of the structure in an economical way, the duplex assembled I-shaped steel panel damper (DAISPD) was introduced to the PSPC beam-concrete encased CFST column frame through the eccentric brace. A half-scaled two-storey two-bay substructure specimen was tested under cyclic loading. A series of seismic properties was then analysed, including the failure modes, hysteretic performance, and energy dissipation capacity. To further investigate the contribution of the damper, groups of numerical analyses were conducted on the key design parameters of the DAISPD. The introduction of the damper provides an adequate lateral stiffness and energy absorption to the frame, especially when the interstorey drift is within the elastic and plastic drift limits. The damage of the damper and the beam hinge mechanism occurs sequentially, which results in a two-stage failure mode. Considering the predamage contribution and the postdamage influence of the damper, it is recommended to design with a moderate yield force and a small height.