ABSTRACT
The passive structural control by using appropriate energy dissipative devices represents today a new seismic design trend to reduce the dynamic effects induced by wind and earthquakes. Among several devices actually available, the ones based on shear panels can be considered an attractive solution because they are able to increase both stiffness and strength of building under lateral loads and to improve the energy dissipation capability of the whole structure also under severe loading conditions. In order to exploit the dissipative action of shear panels as much as possible, it is needed using ductile metals with limited yielding strength. For this aim a new panel type made of pure aluminium has been recently proposed as seismic protection system. In this paper the preliminary results of a wide experimental campaign in progress at the University of Naples Federico II are shown. Tests are related to different panel configurations under both monotonic and cyclic loading. The experimental program is developed in combination with analytical and numerical studies aiming at setting up simplified models for the analysis of framed structures supplied with dissipative shear panels, as well as appropriate relevant design methodologies.
