Hysteretic behavior and parametric studies of a self-centering shear wall with tension-compression disc spring devices

Abstract In order to achieve an earthquake-resilient structure, this study proposes a novel self-centering shear wall with disc spring devices (SCSW-DSDs). Cyclic loading tests were conducted on a conventional wall and an SCSW-DSD. Results indicate the satisfactory self-centering performance of the new wall, yet the initial stiffness and bearing capability of the current SCSW-DSD were significantly decreased compared to those of the conventional wall. Therefore, a compression-tension disc spring device (TCDSD) was designed to enhance the initial stiffness and bearing capacity of the SCSW. The establishment of the TCDSD equivalent spring systems allowed us to calculate the macro parameters of the device. The hysteretic behavior of both the TCDSD and SCSW-TCDSD were investigated under cyclic loadings. The TCDSD was observed to exhibit an asymmetric flag-shaped hysteretic response. Furthermore, the initial stiffness and bearing capacity of the SCSW-TCDSD were increased by approximately 25% compared to the previous SCSW-DSD. The increase in the first and second stiffness, as well as the pre-pressure and friction, can improve the bearing capacity of the wall. However, the residual displacement will inevitably increase with these four parameters, particularly the friction. Moreover, increasing the friction resulted in the greatest improvements in the SCSW-TCDSD energy dissipation capability.