Seismic control performance of a three?story frame prototype equipped with semi?active variable stiffness and damping structural joints

This paper presents numerical and experimental studies on semi-active seismic response control of structures equipped with variable stiffness damping structural joints. Such adaptive joints, which are comprised a shape memory polymer (SMP) core reinforced by an SMP-aramid composite skin, function as load-transfer components well devices. The SMP material can transition from glassy to rubbery state through thermal actuation resulting in shift the natural frequencies parallel increase ratio, enables new strategy. Control performance has been evaluated three-story frame 12 joints subjected excitations. Full-transient analysis shown that when thermally actuated temperature (65°C), acceleration base shear reduced up 62% 65%, respectively. Shake-table tests have carried out 1/10-scale prototype, confirming ratio increases 2.6% 11.3% first frequency shifts 37%. As structure becomes more flexible, displacements interstory drift might occur. However, depending excitation, top-story significantly range 43%–50% 35%–51%, These results confirm is effective mitigate under excitation.