Experimental study on seismic performance of timber frames strengthened with curved steel dampers

Low-cycle reversed loading tests were conducted on five 1:1.67 scaled specimens without reinforcement, which were strengthened by curved steel dampers with different radius and thickness. The structure behaviors, such as the failure characteristics, P-Δ hysteretic loops, skeleton curves and energy dissipation capacity were analyzed. The low-cycle reversed loading tests were conducted only on the curved steel dampers to obtain the hysteretic loops as well as skeleton curves. The test results indicate that strengthened frames also obtain good deformation capacity. Dampers can enhance strength and stiffness, develop energy disipation of the frames. Strength and stiffness of strengthened frames are mostly provided by curved steel dampers. Their capacity will increase with the bigger thickness within a certain range. With the increase of radius, the strength and stiffness is weakened in the early loading stage, while the energy dissipation capacity will increase more in the later loading stage.