Experimental and Numerical Analysis of an Innovative Re-Centering Shape Memory Alloys-Shearing Lead Damper

An innovative re-centering shape memory alloys-shearing lead damper was proposed based on the super-elasticity of shape memory alloys (SMAs) and the energy dissipation property of lead when yield. Consisting of SMA, shearing leads and springs, the damper presented a high energy-dissipation and re-centering capability with a simple structural configuration and was easy to manufacture. A model of the damper was made and tested to study the impact of different loading rates and displacement amplitudes on its mechanical properties under cyclic loadings. A theoretical model of the damper was proposed to simulate its mechanical properties. The results proved that the damper had a stable hysteretic behavior under cyclic loadings. By using SMA and lead working together, the damper showed a good energy dissipation capability. The re-centering spring introduced a good re-centering ability of the damper. The numerical results agreed well with the test data, which proves that the proposed model is valid.