Quasi-static cyclic test on seismic performance of steel reinforced concrete frame with replaceable energy-dissipating member

In view of damage controlling and earthquake-resilient performance, the steel reinforced concrete (SRC) frame with replaceable energy-dissipating member (REDM) is proposed. The REDM is consisted of high damping concrete (HDC) wall panel and several fuses made by low yielding-point (LYP) steel. At first, low-cyclic reversed loading test on fuse is carried out to explore its shear capacity and hysteretic behavior. The suitable dimension and shape of fuse is determined for further study. Then the quasi-static cyclic test considering two loading patterns is applied on two SRC-REDMs. One specimen is loaded until overall failure while another is repaired by installing a new set of REDM during the loading history. The analyses and comparisons are conducted in terms of failure mode, yielding pattern, hysteretic characteristics, stress distribution, stiffness degradation, dynamic characteristics, ductility and energy dissipation. The failure mode is summarized as bending-shear failure of the wall panel, local buckling of fuses and beam hinge failure mechanism of SRC frame. The hysteretic loops are plump while large energy dissipation capacity is represented. The seismic performance is verified by high bearing capacity and ductility. The bearing capacity and stiffness of repaired specimen is significantly rehabilitated. The new REDM has dissipated much more hysteresis energy than that of non-repairing case. The earthquake-resilient behavior is confirmed by the significant recovery in mechanical properties.

Automated summary

In order to control damage and improve seismic performance, a steel reinforced concrete (SRC) frame with replaceable energy-dissipating member (REDM) is proposed. The REDM consists of a high damping concrete (HDC) wall panel and several fuses made of low yielding-point (LYP) steel. Test results showed that the SRC-REDM demonstrated bending-shear failure of the wall panel, local buckling of the fuses, and beam hinge failure mechanism of the SRC frame. The new REDM had higher energy dissipation capacity and significantly rehabilitated the bearing capacity and stiffness of the repaired specimen, confirming its earthquake-resilient behavior.