Research on the dynamic performance of low-yield-strength shear panel damper for bridge application

This study seeks to develop a scientific understanding of the effects of dynamic loading history on the low-yield-strength shear panel damper (LYSPD) mechanical properties and fatigue performance. The LYSPD model is supposed as perfect elastic-plastic without strength deterioration. By adjusting the damper strength with the above supposition in the DYMO software, the serial earthquake response waves of the LYSPD under different soil conditions are obtained firstly. Subsequently, several waves, the most prone to damage at each soil condition, are selected as dynamic loading waves to verify the LYSPD dynamic performances experimentally. The test results suggest that the dynamic loading histories have no influence on the LYSPD strength or the supposed model while they affect the fatigue performance. The applicability and accuracy of three fatigue evaluation methods, cumulative plastic shear strain, cumulative energy absorption and Miner rule, are also compared according to the test results.