SUMMARYTwo families of passive seismic control devices exploiting the peculiar properties of shape memory alloy (SMA) kernel components have been implemented and tested within the MANSIDE project (Memory Alloys for New Seismic Isolation and Energy Dissipation Devices). They are special braces for framed structures and isolation devices for buildings and bridges. Their most important feature is their extreme versatility, i.e. the possibility to obtain a wide range of cyclic behaviour * from supplemental and fully re-centring to highly dissipating * by simply varying the number and/or the characteristics of the SMA components. Other remarkable properties are their extraordinary fatigue resistance under large strain cycles and their great durability and reliability in the long run. In this paper, the working mechanisms of the SMA based devices are outlined and the experimental tests carried out to verify the above-mentioned properties are extensively described.

Two families of passive seismic control devices exploiting the peculiar properties of shape memory alloy (SMA) kernel components have been implemented and tested within the MANSIDE project (Memory Alloys for New Seismic Isolation and Energy Dissipation Devices). They are special braces for framed structures and isolation devices for buildings and bridges. Their most important feature is their extreme versatility, i.e. the possibility to obtain a wide range of cyclic behaviour * from supplemental and fully re-centring to highly dissipating * by simply varying the number and/or the characteristics of the SMA components. Other remarkable properties are their extraordinary fatigue resistance under large strain cycles and their great durability and reliability in the long run. In this paper, the working mechanisms of the SMA based devices are outlined and the experimental tests carried out to verify the above-mentioned properties are extensively described.

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This paper presents an innovative technology in the field of truss structures, which is based on an innovative concept of mixing two different types of materials and joining them with a newly conceived connection, able to carry high loads with a small size. After an initial feasibility study aimed at pursuing the realization of sustainable and green structures, the project of the hybrid space truss was finally developed. Here, hybridization is the keyword, that is, making use of two different building materials, steel and wood, to achieve lighter roofs through a specialization of their functions and an optimization of their mechanical properties. Another key point is modularity, which is an important aspect that allows easy and fast assembly of structures and, most of all, standardization of parts. The trusses have been designed in detail, with special attention to the connections, and have been built and tested at the Laboratories of the Hunan University at Changsha (China). In a typical process of “designing by experimenting”, the prototypes have been produced and the assembly process has been tested in order to confirm the feasibility of the whole process, from production to construction to ultimate performance conditions.

This paper presents an experimental work about the design of a truss roof for a long-spanbuilding. This study makes use of an innovative hybrid truss that has been developed in a parallelstudy. The project presented herein shows the direct application of the technology on an existingbuilding, emphasizing its feasibility, potentiality and functionality. The paper highlights thecharacteristic of adaptability to both newly designed buildings and existing ones. Starting from thetruss prototype, different shape configurations that the technology allows are hypothesized. Thefinal roof shape is selected based on study aiming at optimizing the elements sections.