Feasible Application of Shape Memory Alloy Plates in Steel Beam-Column Connections

In the past earthquakes, steel moment resisting frames suffered damage. Earthquake-induced damage in the main structural members, such as beams, and columns, leads to permanent deformations in buildings. The resulting permanent damage following earthquakes substantially increases repair costs. The repair of damaged buildings with extensive permanent deformations may not be economically feasible. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate the residual deformations while designing ductile beam—to—column connections. The seismic performance of steel buildings can be improved by allocating pre-specified elements in the building so as to dissipate the input energy and also provide self-centering (the ability to return the structure to its undeformed position). This paper presents a feasibility study of utilizing superelastic Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) plates in steel beam—column connections. Three-dimensional finite element models of steel beam—column subassemblies are generated to assess the efficiency of SMA-plates on the seismic behavior of connections. In this new application, SMA-plates are used in the plastic hinge region of the beam. The results of these finite element simulations are promising. The proposed connections with SMA plates could return to their original positions, while exhibiting a ductile behavior with good energy dissipation. Furthermore, the occurrence of local buckling in beam flanges was prevented in the new connections with SMA-plates.