OPTIMIZATION OF CONFIGURATION AND FINITE ELEMENT MODELING FOR LEAD-FILLED STEEL TUBE DAMPERS

A new method for configuring the transitional part of outer steel tubes for lead-filled steel tube dampers (LFSTDs) was proposed in this study. A finite element model of the LFSTD was developed. Parametric formulas of nonlinear isotropic/kinematic hardening model were suggested for the LFSTD finite element modeling. Subsequently, a parametric modeling platform was developed for developing the finite element model for LFSTDs based on the parametric formulas. The calculation results were compared against testing results to validate the finite element model. Finally, the modified configuration of the transitional part was analyzed by using the finite element model. Results show that the new configuration of the transitional part for outer steel tubes for LFSTDs enhances the strength of the steel tube end; efficiently controls the distribution of plastic deformation; ensures deformation and yielding energy dissipation in the middle of LFSTDs, and prevents failure untimely from connection damage in the steel tube end. The calculating results, using the parametric formulas proposed in this study, were in good agreement with testing results. The parametric modeling platform builds finite element models for LFSTDs accurately and efficiently under different configurational parameters, and provides a reliable tool for LFSTD modeling with a large number of parameters.