Investigation on the hysteretic performance of tubular lead-column laminated rubber damper

Introduction To improve the engineering applicability of lead-core dampers and enhance their self-centering performance, the tubular lead-column laminated rubber damper (TL-CLRD) is proposed. Methods First, considering the confined behavior of lead materials and structural assembly requirements, a sealed design combining laminated rubber layers and an outer casing is adopted, alongside a modular configuration. Cyclic loading tests are then conducted on damper specimens to obtain their hysteretic response characteristics. Subsequently, a numerical model of the damper is established to simulate the experimental process. Based on this model, a parametric analysis is performed to systematically investigate the effects of guide rod diameter, lead column height, and laminated rubber layer height on the hysteretic behavior of the damper. Results The results show that the proposed damper exhibits stable and effective hysteretic performance. The overall hysteretic response demonstrates a clear bilinear characteristic, with the equivalent viscous damping ratio consistently stabilizing in the range of 20%–26%. Discussion The lead column height and guide rod dimensions have a significant influence on the hysteretic behavior of the damper, providing a reliable reference for the optimal design and practical engineering application of such self-centering devices.