A study on energy dissipation devices in seismic repair and retrofit of reinforced concrete wall buildings

Abstract

This study evaluates the seismic performance of reinforced concrete (RC) wall buildings enhanced with energy dissipation devices known as Replaceable Dissipation Components (RDCs). RC wall buildings are widely used in seismic regions and generally perform well; however, brittle failures have been observed and should be mitigated. This study proposes using RDCs to mitigate such failures by incorporating a Tension-Compression Disc Spring Device (TCDSD), a uniaxial element with hysteretic behavior generated by steel discs and frictional interfaces. A nonlinear finite element model of an 18-story case-study RC wall building with unconfined flag-shaped walls damaged during the 2010 Chile earthquake is developed in DIANA and analyzed using site-specific ground motions. Three cases are examined: (i) the original building, (ii) the building enhanced with RDCs, and (iii) the building conventionally repaired with increased wall thickness and reinforcement. Five RDC layouts are evaluated, placing the device either on external steel columns adjacent to the wall (A, B, and C) or embedded within the wall (D and E). Results show that configurations A, B, and C significantly reduce roof drift, thereby improving overall seismic performance, while configurations D and E show limited benefits. In addition, configuration C achieves performance comparable to the conventionally repaired building while requiring minimal structural intervention. These findings underscore RDCs as a feasible and effective alternative for the seismic strengthening or repair of RC wall buildings.