A load-bearing structural element with energy dissipation capability under harmonic excitation

This paper focuses on the design, fabrication, testing and analysis of a novel load-bearing element with energy dissipation capability. A single element comprises two von-Mises trusses (VMTs), which are sandwiched between two plates and connected to dashpots that stroke as the VMTs cycle between stable equilibrium states. The elements can be assembled in-plane to form a large plate-like structure or stacked with different properties in each layer for improved load-adaptability. Also introduced in the elements are pre-loaded springs (PLSs) that provide high initial stiffness and allow the element to carry a static load even when the VMTs cannot under harmonic disturbance input. Simulations of the system behavior using the Simscape environment show good overall correlation with test data. Good energy dissipation capability is observed over a frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 2 Hz. The test and simulation results show that a two layer prototype, having one soft VMT layer and one stiff VMT layer, can provide good energy dissipation over a decade of variation in harmonic load amplitude, while retaining the ability to carry static load due to the PLSs. The paper discusses how system design parameter changes affect the static load capability and the hysteresis behavior.