Conference Proceedings

Abstract

Shape memory alloys are new materials that provide excellent superelastic capacity and shape memory capability due to phase changes of austenite and martensite. In recent years, the shape memory alloys have been applied to steel-structure buildings in the form of dampers, steel rods and wires, thereby increasing buildings’ seismic performance. This study was designed to seek ways to improve the seismic performance of T-stub connections subjected to axial cyclic loading. In a related move, this study sought to investigate changes in the energy dissipation capacity and residual deformation of the connections due to changes in the geometric shape of the T-stub. Towards this end, a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis was performed with respect to the T-stub connections using SMA.