Experimental Study of Full-Scale Self-Centering Sliding Hinge Joint Connections with Friction Ring Springs

Abstract

This article presents 10 tests on a self-centering Sliding Hinge Joint (SHJ) subassembly. The flexural capacity was generated with a combination of ring springs and Asymmetric Friction Connections, with the proportion varied between tests. The joints produced stable and repeatable hysteretic behavior and minimal damage to the floor slab, with self-centering capability improving with increasing ring spring contribution. There was negligible difference between tests undertaken at static and seismic-dynamic rates of loading. The SHJ had a 20% reduction in strength under a near fault pulse type motion. A simple mathematical model of the SCSHJ rotational behavior is also developed.