ABSTRACT
The ability to dissipate structural energy from seismic, wind and impact loads in a controlled and repeatable manner is essential to maintaining structural integrity for a range of large environmental loads. Extrusion based damping technology is a promising method of achieving these design requirements and is already widely used in base isolation applications. However, the large size of current devices prevents several unique implementations limiting their widespread use. This research develops high force-to-volume extrusion dampers small enough in volume for use in typical structural connections. Re-centering extrusion-based devices extend the technology to high impact loading applications. Design, analysis and experimental verification has been undertaken on lead extrusion dampers sufficiently compact to allow direct placement into universal column sections nominally 350 mm deep (W14). Peak force levels up to 450 kN with strokes up to 50 mm are developed with an optimal (almost fully rectangular) hysteresis loop. Shock absorbers for high force impact loading applications with some recentering capability are developed, with stiffness values up to 3.6MN/m, and force levels up to 300–400 kN. These latter devices have significant potential for industrial structural impact loading applications, such as moorings of large ships. The overall results indicate that maximum energy dissipation with high force/volume relationships can be developed and characterized for lead extrusion dampers.
