Innovative beam column connections using shape memory alloys

Roberto T Leon; Reginald DesRoches; Justin Ocel; Greg Hess

doi:10.1117/12.434122

30 July 2001 Innovative beam column connections using shape memory alloys

Roberto T Leon, Reginald DesRoches, Justin Ocel, Greg Hess

Proceedings Volume 4330, Smart Structures and Materials 2001: Smart Systems for Bridges, Structures, and Highways; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.434122
Event: SPIE's 8th Annual International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 2001, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

The application of Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMA) in steel connections is evaluated using connections incorporating SMA tendons. Shape memory alloys are a class of alloys that exhibit thermo-mechanical characteristics that are ideally suited for seismic applications. They have the ability to dissipate significant energy with little permanent deformation, and possess highly reliable energy dissipation based on a repeatable solid state phase transformation. To assess the validity of using SMA in real structures, two full-scale connections are tested. The tests are conducted on exterior joint specimens and tested according to the SAC testing protocol. The beams are W24 x 94 and the columns W14 x 159, all of A572 Grade 50 steel. Companion regular steel connections are tested for comparison. The connections are of a T-stub type, with four 11/2 inch diameter SMA rods providing the tensile resistance to the column. The specimens are re-tested several times to determine the ability of the SMA rods to regain their original configuration. The tests will lead to the development of an innovative beam-column connection that can be used for both retrofit and new construction that exhibits performance which is superior to existing designs.

Citation Download Citation

Roberto T Leon, Reginald DesRoches, Justin Ocel, and Greg Hess "Innovative beam column connections using shape memory alloys", Proc. SPIE 4330, Smart Structures and Materials 2001: Smart Systems for Bridges, Structures, and Highways, (30 July 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.434122

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