Revealing Seismic Performance: Exploring an Innovative Brace–Brake Pad Friction Damper through Experimental and Numerical Approaches

Earthquakes pose a significant threat to braced steel frames (BSFs), highlighting the need for cost-effective mitigation strategies. Braced steel frames are used widely in construction due to their high strength and stiffness. However; their inherent rigidity can lead to significant damage during seismic events. This study explored a promising approach: brake pad friction dampers. A combined experimental–numerical investigation assessed their energy dissipation capabilities. An experimental test under cyclic loading evaluated the performance of individual damper components. Finite-element simulations using Abaqus and OpenSees analyzed the effectiveness of such dampers integrated into knee-braced frames (KBFs) subjected to seismic loads. This research investigated the seismic performance of brake pad friction dampers in KBFs, focusing on their ability to upgrade seismic performance. The outcomes hold significant promise for developing innovative and cost-effective solutions for earthquake-resistant structures. Additionally, to enhance the understanding of seismic performance improvement, a numerical investigation was conducted to measure the response modification factor. The impact of the friction brake pad (FBP) on the R factor of brace–friction damper structural systems was examined using pushover analysis. Future studies will investigate optimal damper design parameters and specifications such as a variety of damper capacities.