Mechanical performance of mortise-tenon joints with composite energy dissipators

To improve the energy dissipation capacity of mortise-tenon joints in ancient wooden structures and prevent pull-out failure of such joints, a composite energy dissipators was designed, which achieves energy dissipation through the synergistic work of a friction unit and a shear unit. This paper elaborates on the configuration of the dissipator and its connection process with mortise-tenon joints. A calculation method for the bearing capacity of the dissipator was established based on Coulomb’s friction theory and the classic tension field theory. One set of mortise-tenon joints, three sets of mortise-tenon joints with displacement-amplified friction energy dissipators, and four sets of mortise-tenon joints with composite energy dissipators were established using the ABAQUS finite-element software, and quasi-static loading simulations were conducted on these numerical models. The accuracy of the numerical model was verified by comparing the simulation results with the calculated results and previously published experimental data. On this basis, the effects of key parameters such as shear plate thickness, preload magnitude, and friction coefficient on the mechanical properties of mortise-tenon joints with composite energy dissipators were investigated, and their mechanical properties were compared with those of mortise-tenon joints with displacement-amplified friction energy dissipator.