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This work presents a study on the parameters that govern the performance of a new Friction Damper Device (FDD) The device was designed to dissipate seismic input energy and protect buildings from structural and nonstructural damage during moderate and severe earthquakes. The device consists of 3 steel plates that rotate against each other in different directions, and in between these plates, friction pad material discs are inserted. The damper is attached to structures by using inverted Chevron bracing system and in this work pre- stress bars were used as bracing members. The clamping force in the pretensioned bolt controls the frictional moment at the onset of sliding. The device has been tested intensively in order to verify its performance. The experimental program included two phases: (1) Testing the damper alone with Instron machine, examining three different friction-pad materials. (2) Testing a scaled steel frame model with inserted damper device. In both phases the following parameters were tested: forcing frequencies, normal forces, displacement amplitudes, pre-stressing forces and degradation under long-term cyclic excitation. The tests proved that the damper performance is: (1) Independent of forcing frequency within the range of 2 - 7 Hz; (2) Linearly dependent on displacement amplitudes; (3) Linearly dependent on normal forces; (4) Very stable over many cycles. The new device is characterized by the use of special friction pad material, which has been tested for up to 400 and 500 cycles without showing degradation of friction forces more than 5%. Besides, the steel plates were not damaged or scratched so that they can be used for many times. The comparison of results obtained from the experimental and numerical models showed a good agreement. The parameters influencing the frame with FDD were identified in advance by studying the frame's response to static and dynamic loading. The numerical studies demonstrated that the overall frame response was mainly affected by the geometry of the damper, frictional sliding moment and stiffness of the added brace. The device is very easy to manufacture and implement in structures. It is a very economic device due to material availability. It can be easily replaced if it is damaged, which is extremely unlikely, or can be readjusted after use.
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