Fatigue‐resistant Fe‐Mn‐Si‐based alloy seismic dampers to counteract long‐period ground motion

Abstract

In recent years, resonance in high‐rise buildings due to long‐period ground motion, which induces large‐amplitude cyclic deformation of seismic dampers, has become a matter of significant concern. Performance requirements for seismic dampers that are installed in vibration‐controlled buildings have become more stringent, and durability against cyclic deformation has become essential. An Fe‐15Mn‐4Si‐10Cr‐8Ni alloy with enhanced low‐cycle fatigue resistance has been developed to produce steel seismic dampers that are durable against large‐amplitude cyclic deformations. We used this alloy to develop two types of fatigue‐resistant seismic dampers (shear panel and brace‐type) that counteract long‐period ground motion. Furthermore, cyclic loading tests were conducted to validate the deformation performance and fatigue resistance of the developed damper. The results indicated that these dampers exhibit significantly better fatigue life than conventional steel dampers and exhibit outstanding deformation performance and durability under low‐cycle fatigue. The proposed two types of dampers were installed on steel structure buildings in Japan. These dampers ensured that the buildings with seismic performance margins can withstand long‐period and long‐duration ground motion and repeated after‐quakes.

Iron-Based Shape Memory Alloys in Construction: Research, Applications and Opportunities

“…Related experiments have been conducted [ 23 , 28 , 75 ] and the results confirmed that the Fe-SMA seismic dampers exhibit considerably longer fatigue life (around ten times) than conventional steel dampers. Loading tests with random seismic wave inputs were also performed and the results showed that the seismic dampers exhibit stable energy absorption behavior under a wide range of deformation angles, reflecting a reliable performance during earthquake sequences [ 28 ].…”

“…Recent research and development activities enable a wider use of Fe-SMA in the construction industry. In particular, the research and application of Fe-SMA over the past 10 years can be mainly divided into two fields: (1) SME-induced prestressing technique for repairing and strengthening structures [ 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 ], and (2) seismic damping [ 23 , 28 , 75 ].…”

“…Ductility and durability are also important characteristics, since many strong ground motions followed by a series of aftershocks have been recorded in the past decades [ 140 ]. A Japanese industry–academic–government joint research group had developed Fe-SMA-based (Fe-15Mn-4Si-10Cr-8Ni) buckling restrained shear dampers (BRS, see Figure 16 a) and buckling-restrained braces (BRB, see Figure 16 b), and used them in the JP Tower Nagoya and The Aichi International Convention & Exhibition Center, Tokoname, respectively [ 28 ]. Related experiments have been conducted [ 23 , 28 , 75 ] and the results confirmed that the Fe-SMA seismic dampers exhibit considerably longer fatigue life (around ten times) than conventional steel dampers.…”

“…A Japanese industry–academic–government joint research group had developed Fe-SMA-based (Fe-15Mn-4Si-10Cr-8Ni) buckling restrained shear dampers (BRS, see Figure 16 a) and buckling-restrained braces (BRB, see Figure 16 b), and used them in the JP Tower Nagoya and The Aichi International Convention & Exhibition Center, Tokoname, respectively [ 28 ]. Related experiments have been conducted [ 23 , 28 , 75 ] and the results confirmed that the Fe-SMA seismic dampers exhibit considerably longer fatigue life (around ten times) than conventional steel dampers. Loading tests with random seismic wave inputs were also performed and the results showed that the seismic dampers exhibit stable energy absorption behavior under a wide range of deformation angles, reflecting a reliable performance during earthquake sequences [ 28 ].…”

Experimental tests and numerical simulations of miniature buckling-restrained braces using iron-shape memory alloy bar

“…Currently, FeSMA components are mainly used for structural strengthening and retrofitting purposes [21][22][23]. Notably, full scale FeSMA BRBs have been applied in practice in Japan [24]. Meanwhile, increasing attentions were paid on exploring FeSMA as the yielding core of dampers.…”