ABSTRACT
e-SAFE (Energy and Seismic AFfordable rEnovation solutions) is a research project in the framework of European Horizon 2020 goal. It consists of a multifaceted approach to the restoration of existing non historical building. The authors focused on the development of a new methodology for improving the seismic behaviour of existing buildings. The proposed solution consists of Cross Laminated Timber panels connected to the external beams of existing reinforced concrete building using an innovative connection system. These connections are made by steel profiles and behave as friction dissipating devices. The steel profiles are clamped together by preloaded bolts in elongated holes, in order to obtain relative sliding for certain level of force, this allows the system to dissipate seismic energy via friction. The first part of this paper reports selected results of an experimental campaign carried out by the authors on the friction connection device. The mechanical behaviour is presented in terms of hysteresis curves and dissipated energy, which lead the discussion on the modelling strategy. In the second part of the paper the authors use the outcomes of the tests to set up a numerical model. The authors investigate the seismic performance of a structural archetype, a plane RC frame with CLT shear walls equipped with this new connection. The optimum sliding condition is assessed by using an energy-based optimisation from quasi-static analysis, the influence of the wall infill is discussed. The optimum sliding force of the friction connection descends by the optimisation of the structural performance: maximising the dissipated energy by preventing extensive damage to the CLT panel and the reinforced concrete frame.
