Abstract: With small limit displacement, the common restrainers are likely to be damaged. In order to solve this problem, a new self-centering long-stroke SMA restrainer is proposed. The re-centering force and energy dissipation capacity are provided by the inner SMA bar, and the buckling resistance is provided by the outer steel tube and grout. The results of tests and finite element analysis show that the restrainer can not only provide the bridge with self-centering ability, but also dissipate seismic energy on the premise of reducing the displacement response of the bridge.