HYSTERETIC BEHAVIOR OF BUCKLING-RESTRAINED ALUMINUM SHEAR-YIELDING DAMPERS

This study investigates the hysteretic behavior of buckling-restrained aluminum shear-yielding plate (BRASYPs) panels designed to enhance the seismic performance of structures. BRASYP panels leverage aluminum’s ductile properties to provide stable energy dissipation while preventing premature buckling. The presented numerical model was calibrated based on experimental results available in the literature. A comprehensive analytical investigation was then conducted to evaluate the cyclic response of BRASYP panels, considering different geometrical configurations and material properties. The results demonstrate that the restraining of buckling effectively enhances the energy dissipation capacity and stabilizes the hysteretic response, maintaining consistent force-displacement characteristics over multiple cycles for increasing cycle amplitudes. Finite element simulations complement the experimental findings, providing insights into the stress distribution and failure mechanisms. The findings suggest that BRASYP panels offer a reliable and efficient solution for seismic energy dissipation, making them a promising alternative to conventional steel-based dampers.