Development and Experimental Study of Disc Spring–Based Self-Centering Devices for Seismic Resilience

Abstract

A novel self-centering device that employs disc springs as its kernel components is developed and experimentally verified in this study. The device is suitable for use in self-centering braced frames and is expected to provide a large initial stiffness, reliable self-centering capability, and satisfactory energy dissipation. The fundamental mechanical behavior of the new device is described first. The component detailing, working principle, and fabrication process are discussed in detail. This is followed by a series of tests on individual disc springs and friction plates to gain an in-depth understanding of the performance of these basic components. Subsequently, a full-scale device designed based on a prototype building is physically tested, and the reliability of the specimen under multiple earthquakes is further understood by carrying out repeated rounds of cyclic loading. Among other findings, it is observed that the proposed device has excellent self-centering capability with equivalent viscous damping (EVD) of up to 36%. The device can provide sufficient deformability, corresponding to an available interstory drift of at least 4%. The device is capable of withstanding multiple rounds of loading with no degradation, highlighting its superiority for use against sequential strong earthquakes with no need to replace/repair. The analytical expressions are validated through comparisons against the test results, and a parametric study is then conducted to examine the effects of some key design factors on the device behavior. Based on the experimental and analytical studies, some practical design recommendations are finally given.