New SMA Energy Dissipation Brace Systems

This paper presents seismic energy dissipation systems in recent years, and introduces the new SMA energy dissipation braces. The control effects of a steel frame with these new energy dissipation system are analyzed with the finite element method. The results indicate that the top floor displacement, acceleration and internal rotation of the structures with the new SMA energy dissipation braces decrease obviously. The energy dissipation and hysteretic performance also are calculated. In conclusion, the new SMA energy dissipation braces, including SMA-toggle-brace and SMA-scissors-brace systems, have good seismic control effects, and can be installed easily.