Innovative dissipative pin-devices for seismic-resilient composite steel-concrete buildings: Experimental and numerical investigation

The DISSIPABLE pilot/demonstration project [1] aimed to promote buildings with low-cost, dissipative, and easily replaceable energy-dissipation devices, enhancing economic efficiency and long-term post-seismic resilience. These devices allow for the preservation of primary structural components, avoiding replacement or demolition after high-magnitude seismic events, thus improving sustainability by reducing material, time, and equipment compared to conventional braced-frame systems. This paper introduces the Dissipative Replaceable Bracing Connection (DRBrC), which utilizes a steel pin as a fuse to absorb seismic energy. The DRBrC connects the bracing to the column via a dissipative device, which can be easily replaced after a seismic event. The device consists of two internal eye-bar plates welded to a plate, forming a T-joint, with a similar endplate welded to the diagonal brace. These components are bolted together, enabling the replacement of the dissipative pin. The column connection also features external eye-bar plates. Following a seismic event, the pin device can be replaced, while the primary structural elements are preserved for reuse. The paper details the design of this innovative hysteretic dissipative pin device, presents experimental results of 28 different devices under low-cycle fatigue, compares the different solutions tested and, finally, presents numerical simulations to evaluate the performance of one of the devices. • The paper presents the results of an experimental campaign of twenty-eight DRBrC innovative dissipative devices • These connection for steel-concrete composite promotes buildings with low‑cost, dissipative and easily replaceable devices· A literature review focused on hysteretic metallic devices is presented and pin dissipative devices are highlighted • The experimental campaign enabled a parametric analysis on various design variables· The paper results concluded that failure predominantly occurred due to ductile bending • However, brittle shear failure occurred to shorter pin loading spans, which reduced the total energy dissipation by 45% • A numerical model with hardening, contact and damage was developed and successfully replicated one experimental test