Hybrid Simulation of a Steel Frame with Dissipative Replaceable Link Frames

In the last decades, high priority has been given to enhancing the seismic resilience of structures by reducing the damage of structural and non-structural elements after a disaster. In this context, the European Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) project DISSIPABLE was funded to perform large demonstration tests of steel frames equipped with easily repairable seismic dissipative devices. The paper extensively describes the experimental campaign carried out at the University of Trento on a steel frame equipped with innovative Dissipative Replaceable Link Frame (DRLF) systems, composed of two rigid columns connected by weakened beams at their ends. Hybrid Simulation was employed, enabling to physically test the first floor of the building yet allowing for considering the response of the remaining five floors, which were numerically simulated. A bidimensional frame was tested under increasing seismic intensity levels: Damage Limitation, Significant Damage and Near Collapse limit states. The experimental results proved that the DRLF system was able to dissipate energy and protect the primary elements of the structure from plasticisation. Moreover, the structure's re-centring capability was verified to ensure the components' replaceability. Finally, the calibration of the nonlinear model was performed following the tests, which allowed to develop a high-fidelity model suitable for further numerical investigation.