Damage-Control Self-Centering Structures: From Laboratory Testing to On-site Applications

The paper provides an overview of recent developments and emerging solutions for high-performance damage-control seismic resisting systems, based on unbonded post-tensioned techniques. Several alternative arrangements for dry jointed ductile connections have been developed and extensively tested in the laboratory, for either precast concrete and, more recently, laminated timber structures, prior to being successfully adopted into real on-site applications. The concept of external replaceable “plug&play” dissipaters, providing supplemental strength and dissipation capacity to the system, whilst acting as the only sacrificial fuses for the entire structure, is herein presented along with examples of practical implementation. Similarly, the potential of newly proposed technical solutions to reduce the floor damage by creating a “jointed” or articulated floor system, is discussed. Finally, a brief presentation of recent on-site applications of such systems, featuring some of the latest technical solutions developed in the laboratory, is given as a valuable example of a successful implementation of performance-based seismic design theory and technology in the real construction industry.