Application of SMA rod to exposed-type column base in smart structural system

A seismic-resistant member with a shape memory alloy (SMA) rod was used in an exposed-type column base as a passive damper for building structures. Horizontal and vertical loading tests on the column base with SMA anchorage were done with increasing drift amplitude to investigate the restoring force characteristics of the column base. The results showed that (1) use of an SMA rod prevents deterioration of the restoring force characteristics, (2) use of an appropriate SMA material and a moderate-size rod can yield large deformation capacity and good restoring force characteristics, and (3) after a large drift in the building frame, SMA anchorage enables the original shape and resisting performance to recover with unloading.