Analytical Investigation of the Structural Fuse Concept

Abstract

Passive energy devices (PED) are useful to enhance structural performance by reducing seismically induced structural damage. Metallic dampers are one such PED. When they are designed such that all damage is concentrated on the PED devices, allowing the primary structure to remain elastic, they can be defined as structural fuses (SF). A comprehensive parametric study was conducted to investigate the structural fuse concept, and to identify combinations of key parameters essential to ensure adequate seismic performance for structural fuse systems. Non- linear time history analyses were conducted for several combinations of parameters, chosen to cover a range of feasible designs. Viable combinations of parameters are identified and used to provide guidelines to design and retrofit systems using Buckling-restrained Braces (BRBs), Triangular Added Damping and Stiffness (T- ADAS), and Shear Panels (SPs), examples of metallic dampers working as structural fuses. Studies focus on the application of the structural fuse concept to single- and multi-degree-of- freedom systems. Tables, many illustrations, and references are included.