Seismic behavior of steel frames with H-shaped damper

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of dampers on the seismic performance of steel frames with unequal depth beam-column (UDBC) joints. First of all, the finite element (FE) models of the UDBC joint and steel frame were regenerated by ABAQUS and verified by experimental results. Secondly, the design method for three H-shaped dampers with different web perforation forms (vertical, elliptical, and diamond) was provided. Finally, five steel frames were built using ABAQUS, and pushover analysis and dynamic time-history analysis were performed on them. The results indicated that dampers could decrease the maximum vertex displacement and inter-story shift angle of steel frames with UDBC joints under three seismic waves by 4.47% to 17.17% and 7.71% to 23.88%. The effect of H-shaped dampers was similar to that of T-shaped connectors. Under the action of the Kobe wave and the Qian'an wave, the H-shaped damper exhibited more excellent seismic performance. Compared with frames with T-shaped connectors, the maximum vertex displacement and the maximum inter-story shift angle of frames with H-shaped dampers decreased by 3.44% to 12.39% and 9.55% to 16.15%. The web perforation form of H-shaped dampers somewhat affected the seismic behavior of steel frame structures. Among them, diamond dampers could minimize structural deformation.