Design,test and analysis of a light‐weight dissipative bracing system for seismic protection of structures

The paper deals with the proposal and the experimental validation of a novel dissipative bracing system for the seismic protection of structures; compared with other similar systems, it is characterized by smaller size and weight, which makes it easier to move and to install, as well as particularly suitable to be inserted in light‐framed structures (e.g. steel structures of industrial plants). The proposed system consists of an articulated quadrilateral with steel dissipaters inserted, to be connected by tendons to frame joints; the prototypes have been designed and realized for the seismic protection of a two‐storey, large‐scale, steel frame, specially designed for shaking‐table tests. The paper, after an illustration of the system, and of its design and behaviour, presents the shaking‐table tests carried out. The experimental results have fully validated the proposed system, showing its good performance in controlling the seismic response of framed structures. A numerical non‐linear model, set up and validated on the basis of the physical tests, has been used to help interpreting the experimental results, but also to perform parametrical studies for investigating the influence of the design parameters on the performance of the control system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.