Donatello Cardone

Mechanical behaviour of shape memory alloys for seismic applications 2. Austenite NiTi wires subjected to tension

Abstract The results of cyclic tensile tests on superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) wires are presented and discussed. The tests were carried out within a large experimental test programme for the MANSIDE Project, with the scope of verifying the suitability of SMA superelastic wires as kernel components for seismic protection devices. The mechanical behaviour is described by means of four fundamental quantities, namely: secant stiffness, energy loss per cycle, equivalent damping and residual strain. The sensitivity to temperature and strain rate, as well as the influence of strain amplitude and the effects due to repeated cyclic deformation, are analysed in detail. The experimental results show that the characteristics of the superelastic wires are well suited for seismic applications, as both the recentring and the energy dissipating features of the devices can be easily obtained. Moreover, the influence of the investigated parameters, within their usual range of variation in seismic protection devices, is compatible with the use of superelastic wires for practical applications.

Mechanical behaviour of shape memory alloys for seismic applications 1. Martensite and austenite NiTi bars subjected to torsion

Abstract The mechanical behaviour of several specimens of nickel–titanium shape memory alloy (SMA) has been deeply investigated through a large experimental test program and numerical simulations, in view of their possible use as kernel components for seismic protection devices. The SMA specimens were different in shape (wires and bars with different diameter), physical characteristics (alloy composition, thermomechanical treatment and material phase) and stress mode (tension, torsion, bending and shear). The experimental tests were carried out by applying repeated cyclic deformations. Strain rate, strain amplitude, temperature and number of cycles were considered as test parameters, and their values were selected taking into account the typical range of interest for seismic applications. The aim of the experimental program was to examine the performances of the SMA elements under the working conditions they should be subjected to in a feasible seismic device, under repeated earthquake-like excitations. In this paper, the most important outcomes of the torsion tests are described and analysed in terms of three fundamental mechanical quantities: secant stiffness, energy loss and equivalent damping. The experimental results show that SMA bars subjected to torsion, especially the martensitic ones, have great potential for their use in seismic devices due to their considerable energy dissipation capacity and outstanding fatigue resistance.

Theoretical and Experimental Studies for the Application of Shape Memory Alloys in Civil Engineering

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have great potential for use in the field of civil engineering. The authors of this paper have been involved, from 1996, in several experimental and theoretical studies of the application of SMAs in civil engineering, for national and international research projects. This paper provides an overview of the main results achieved, consisting of the conceptual design, implementation, and testing of three families of SMA-based devices, namely: (i) special braces for framed structures, (ii) seismic isolation devices for buildings and bridges, and (iii) smart ties for arches and vaults. The main advantage of using SMA-based devices in the seismic protection of structures comes from the double-flag shape of their hysteresis loops, which implies three favorable features, i.e., self-centering capability, good energy dissipation capability, and high stiffness at small displacements. The main advantage of smart ties comes from the thermal behavior of SMA superelastic wires, which is opposite to that of steel rod. This implies a strong reduction of the force changes caused by variations of air temperature.

SMA recentering devices for seismic isolation of civil structures

Two similar full scale seismic isolation SMA prototype devices, with 600 KN maximum force and 200 KN supplemental recentering force were the final product of the MANSIDE (Memory Alloys for New Seismic Isolation DEvices) project funded by the European Commission. Exploiting the superelastic behaviour of NiTi wires, they have full recentering and some energy dissipation capabilities, as well as high resistance to large strain cycle fatigue and great durability. They can be used for both bridges and building structures. Their applicability is demonstrated by an experimental application made on a small building in Italy. The building was subjected to a release test, by moving it 150 mm and then suddenly releasing it to measure free oscillations. A description of the devices, their applicability and the relevant experimental tests is provided in the paper.

EXPERIMENTAL BEHAVIOUR OF R/C FRAMES RETROFITTED WITH DISSIPATING AND RE-CENTRING BRACES

An extensive program of shaking table tests on 1/4-scale three-dimensional R/C frames was jointly carried out by the Department of Structure, Soil Mechanics and Engineering Geology (DiSGG) of the University of Basilicata, Italy, and the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC), Portugal. It was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of passive control bracing systems for the seismic retrofit of R/C frames designed for gravity loads only. Two different types of braces were considered, one based on the hysteretic behaviour of steel elements, the other on the superelastic properties of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA). Different protection strategies were pursued, in order to fully exploit the high energy dissipation capacity of steel-based devices, on one hand, and the supple-mental re-centring capacity of SMA-based devices, on the other hand. The experimental results confirmed the great potentials of both strategies and of the associated devices in limiting structural damage. The retrofitted model was subjected to table accelerations as high as three times the acceleration leading the unprotected model to collapse, with no significant damage to structural elements. Moreover, the re-centring capability of the SMA-based bracing system was able to recover the undeformed shape of the frame, when it was in a near-collapse condition. In this paper the experimental behaviour of the non protected and of the protected structural models are described and compared.

SEISMIC PROTECTION OF LIGHT SECONDARY SYSTEMS THROUGH DIFFERENT BASE ISOLATION SYSTEMS

The objective of the present work is to examine advantages and drawbacks of different types of isolation systems, when seismic isolation is used as a protection strategy against damage to internal equipment and contents. The starting point of the study is the big experimental program of table tests on reduced-scale R/C structural models, carried out within the MANSIDE (Memory Alloys for New Seismic Isolation DEvices) project. Seven identical l:3.3-scaled, 3-storey frames were tested, including two fixed-base models and four base-isolated models with different isolation systems, namely: (1) rubber isolators, (2) steel-hysteretic system and (3), re-centring SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) system. In this study the internal equipment is regarded as an elastic single degree of freedom, with 2% equivalent viscous damping. Therefore, the capability of fixed-base and base-isolated models with different isolation systems to protect light secondary systems is evaluated by comparing the floor response spectra obtained from the storey accelerations recorded during shaking table tests. Three different PGAs are considered, about 0.15g, 0.3g and 0.5g, respectively. All the shaking table tests are also simulated with an accurate numerical model, to validate and better understand the experimental results. It is found that each type of isolation system reduces considerably the seismic effects on internal equipments in wide frequency regions. However, tuning effects may arise in specific frequency ranges, corresponding to the first mode in structures equipped with quasi-elastic (rubber) isolation systems, and to higher modes in structures equipped with elasto-plastic (steel) and nonlinear re-centering (SMA) isolation systems.

Restoring capability of friction pendulum seismic isolation systems

The restoring (or re-centring) capability is an important feature of any isolation system and a fundamental requirement of current standards and guideline specifications for the design of seismically isolated structures. In this paper, the restoring capability of spherical sliding isolation systems, often referred to as friction pendulum systems (FPSs), is investigated through an extensive parametric study involving thousands of non-linear response history analyses of SDOF systems. The dynamic behavior of the isolation system is described with the visco-plastic model of Constantinou et al. (J Struct Eng 116(2):455–474, 1990), considering the variability of the friction coefficient with sliding velocity and contact pressure. Numerical analyses have been carried out using a set of approximately three hundred natural seismic ground motions recorded during different earthquakes and differing in seismic intensity, frequency content characteristics, magnitude, epicentral distance and soil characteristics. Regression analysis has been performed to derive the dependency of the residual displacement from the parameters governing the dynamic response of FPS. The influence of near-fault earthquakes and the accumulation of residual displacements due to real sequences of seismic ground motions have been also investigated. Finally, the restoring compliance criteria proposed in this study are compared to the lateral restoring force requirements of current seismic codes. Based on the results of this study, useful recommendations for a (more) rational design of FPSs are outlined.

Direct Displacement-Based Design of Buildings with Different Seismic Isolation Systems

A displacement-based design (DBD) procedure for buildings equipped with different seismic isolation systems is proposed. It has been derived from the Direct Dispaced-Based Design (DDBD) method recently developed by Priestley et al. [2007]. The key aspect of the proposed procedure is the definition of a target displacement profile for the structure. It is assigned by the designer to achieve given performance levels, expressed in terms of maximum displacement of the isolation system and maximum interstory drift. The proposed design procedure has been developed for four different idealized force-displacement relationships, which can describe the cyclic response of a wide variety of isolation systems, including: (i) Lead-Rubber Bearings (LRB); (ii) High-Damping Rubber Bearings (HDRB); (iii) Friction Pendulum Systems (FPS); and (iv) Combinations of lubricated Flat Sliding Bearings (FSB) with different re-centering and/or energy dissipating auxiliary devices. In this article, the background and implementation of the design procedure is presented first. It is followed by the results of validation studies based on nonlinear time-history analyses on different design configurations of base isolated buildings.

Nonlinear Static Methods vs. Experimental Shaking Table Test Results

Three different Nonlinear Static Methods (NSMs), based on pushover analysis, are applied to a 3-story, 2-bay, RC frame. They are (i) the Capacity Spectrum Method (CSM), described in ATC-40, (ii) the Displacement Coefficient Method (DCM), presented in FEMA-273 and further developed in FEMA 356, and (iii) the N2 Method, implemented in the Eurocode 8. Pushover analyses are conducted with DRAIN-3DX by using four different lateral force distributions, according to the acceleration profile assumed along the height of the structure: uniform, triangular, modal-proportional, and multimodal fully adaptive. In the numerical model, RC members are modeled as fiber elements. The numerical predictions of each method are compared to the experimental results of the shaking table tests carried out on two similar 1:3.3-scale structural models, with and without infilled masonry panels, respectively. The comparison is made in terms of maximum story displacements, interstory drifts, and shear forces. All the NSMs are found to predict with adequate accuracy the maximum seismic response of the structure, provided that the associated parameters are properly estimated. The lateral load pattern, instead, is found to little affect the accuracy of the results for the three-story model considered, even if collapse occurs with a soft story mechanism.

THE BEHAVIOUR OF SMA ISOLATION SYSTEMS BASED ON A FULL-SCALE RELEASE TEST

Two full-scale isolation re-centring devices, embodying NiTi Shape Memory Alloy elements, were designed and manufactured as the final product of a European research project for the exploitation of SMAs in the seismic protection of structures (MANSIDE Project). The devices were subjectod to several experimental tests aimed at verifying the feasibility and evaluating the mechanical properties of SMA-based devices for the passive seismic protection of buildings and bridges. In order to fully check the applicability of SMA-based isolation systems in real situations, the two devices were temporarily installed in a small base-isolated building, at Rapolla, Southern Italy, which was subjected to several in situ release tests. The complete SMA-based isolation system consisted of the SMA re-centring devices and steel-PTFE lubricated sliding bearings. The release tests were carried out by moving the superstructure and then suddenly releasing it. Numerical seismic simulation analyses have also been carried out to evaluate the effects of the variations of the mechanical characteristics of the isolation systems, including those due to temperature, on the seismic behaviour of the building. Based on these results, a proposal for the improvement of the performances of SMA based isolation systems is made and verified by numerical simulations.