Mechanical performance of multi-stage yield and failure metal sleeve damper: Experimental and numerical study

Energy dissipation devices are frequently utilized in structural vibration control. This study introduces a novel multi-stage yield and failure metal sleeve damper whose energy dissipation components comprise two kinds of steel strips with different ratios of height to width. The proposed damper has multiple yield points which existing multi-stage yield dampers have and extra multiple failure stages, and its energy dissipation components are external, which is convenient for observation and replacement. This damper can dissipate energy under various earthquake levels. Moreover, its two kinds of steel strips will not fail simultaneously. A quasi-static test is carried out to investigate its energy dissipation performance, failure mode, stiffness degradation behavior and the effect of different energy dissipation components made of low yield point steel. This is followed by a finite element study to further verify its multi-stage yield function. Finally, calculation formulas of its significant performance parameters such as yield displacement and force are derived, and two hysteretic models suitable for the proposed damper are suggested. The test results indicate that the damper has excellent energy dissipation performance and deformation behavior. If different steel strips are made of low yield point steel, the dampers will have different functions and advantages. The simulation results agree with the test results, and multi-stage yield function of the proposed damper is validated. The proposed formulas can accurately predict damper performance.