Cyclic behaviour of friction energy dissipation connection systems with precast concrete cladding panel: Experimental and numerical studies

This study presents a novel friction energy dissipation (FED) joint designed to suspend precast reinforced concrete cladding on beams within steel frame structural systems. An experimental investigation was conducted to examine the influence of friction sheet materials on the mechanical properties, energy dissipation performance, and seismic reduction effect of these new FED joints on the main structure. The friction sheets were composed of three types of metal materials and two polymer composite materials. Subsequently, the FED joints and precast concrete cladding were considered as a FED system. Based on experimental research results, simplified finite element analysis models of the FED system using OpenSEES were established. The influence of the FED system on the initial stiffness, bearing capacity, and energy dissipation performance of the steel frame structure system was investigated through finite element comparative analysis, employing a single-layer single span steel frame. The research indicates that the new FED joints exhibit reliable connection performance, preventing premature cracking and failure of concrete cladding through the relative sliding of FED joints. The material type of the friction sheets have a significant impact on the mechanical performance of FED joints, but has almost no impact on the FED system. The analysis results obtained from the simplified analysis model of the FED joints based on OpenSEES platform align well with the experimental research results. The FED system can provide additional initial stiffness and energy dissipation capacity for the steel frame structures, effectively improving their mechanical performance.