Internal Funding

Development of a Novel Self-Centering Restraint System for Resilient Seismic Design of Mechanical Equipment (PI)

Funded by: The UConn Foundation
Date: January 2012 to December 2012

The theme of this research is the utilization of advanced material to develop a novel seismic restrainer device for critical mechanical and electrical equipment, with a critical deployment potential for oil, electricity, and nuclear industries, in addition to vital facilities like hospitals. This device is based upon the concept of buckling resistant braces (BRBs) that are widely used in the design of seismic resistant structures (AISC/SEAOC, 2001). The proposed miniature BRB member benefits from flag-shape, load-deformation characteristics of Nitinol-based superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs).

Task 1 – Conduct an in-depth literature search on the latest work on structural application of superelastic SMA.
Task 2 – Develop a design and fabricate a test model.
Task 3 – Conduct the pseudo-dynamic cyclic load-deformation experiments.
Task 4 – Perform analytical parametric studies.
Task 5 – Explore other potential application of the device.
Task 6 – Draft a summary of the investigation and the results in a final report.

SMA Brace

Fig. 1- Recentering Device and the Detail of End Anchor System, bottom)
Obtained Load- Deformation Relationship in Compression Test