Numerical simulation and seismic performance analysis of sacrificial-energy dissipation beam-column joint

Abstract

To enable secondary energy-dissipating components to actively attract and dissipate seismic energy, a new type of sacrificial-energy dissipation beam-column joint (SEDJ) was proposed for frame structures. During strong earthquakes, the post-yield strength of the SEDJ was actively weakened by the shear failure of the bolts, and the friction between the friction plates and metal plate ensured that the SEDJ could fully dissipate the seismic energy. Meanwhile, the adjacent column and beam components remained elastic after the earthquake, so as to achieve the purpose of protecting the main beam and column components. Based on finite element analysis of the SEDJ using a solid element model, the expected seismic performance of the SEDJ was verified through displacement-controlled monotonic and cyclic loading tests. The peak strength Fu and post-yield strength Fr of the SEDJ could be controlled by adjusting the shear strength of the bolts and the preload of the friction plate and metal plate connecting bolts. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the SEDJ was evaluated by applying it to a three-story steel frame structure, and a parametric analysis was conducted. The results indicate that appropriately and actively reducing the post-yield strength of the SEDJ, with Fr/Fu equal to 0.3, provides the most favorable effect on improving the plastic dissipation energy distribution of the beam and column components and reducing the damage to the bottom column under strong earthquakes. Meanwhile, the structure meets the requirements of inter-story drift under design basis earthquakes and the collapse resistance under maximal considered earthquakes. The SEDJ only requires the replacement of the bolts and friction plates after the earthquake. Therefore, this study can provide new ideas for designing seismic-resilient structures.