Seismic Testing of Steel Plate Energy Dissipation Devices

In a research program, co-sponsored by Bechtel Power Corporation and CounterQuake Corporation, the seismic performance of steel plate added damping and stiffness (ADAS) elements was investigated through a series of sub-assemblage experiments and by the earthquake simulator testing of a three story ductile moment resisting space frame (DMRSF) upgraded with ADAS elements. The sub-assemblage testing of the ADAS elements demonstrated their stable hysteresis for a large number of yielding cycles. The addition of the ADAS system (ADAS elements and chevron braces) to the DMRSF limited the frame's response to acceptable levels during severe earthquake simulation. The research program clearly demonstrated that ADAS elements can be used to effectively upgrade moment resisting frames (MRFs) and concentrically braced frames (CBFs) to achieve a moderately stiff building with extremely good energy dissipation characteristics. The implications of the research results for the design and upgrade of buildings using ADAS elements, and potential uses for ADAS elements, are presented in the latter part of the paper.