Experimental Study of Hysteresis Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Frame Equipped with TADAS Yielding Damper under Cyclic Loading

A review of the damages caused by previous earthquakes shows that a significant number of the structures constructed in the country are neither earthquake-resistant nor have enough strength. Consequently, reliable, fast, and easy retrofitting methods are needed to improve these structures to withstand lateral forces. In the present study, 9 concrete frames were tested, and yielding steel dampers have been used for the seismic rehabilitation of the concrete moment-resisting frames. TADAS (Triangular-plate Added Damping and Stiffness) dampers are attached to the concrete frame using steel braces. The dampers and concrete beams are connected with concentric steel braces. Moreover, three concentric braces have been installed to investigate the influence of the braces on the strength and behavior of the structure. Compared to the moment-resisting frame, the structure that used TADAS dampers exhibited greater strength and recorded fewer damages. Cyclic displacement loading was applied to these frames, and their characteristics, including strength and crack, were investigated. In comparison with the control frame, the steel braces and yield dampers increased the structural strength of the concrete frames by 48% and 28%, respectively.