Behaviour of Asymmetrical Friction Connections using different shim materials

Asymmetrical Friction Connections (AFC) have been successfully applied in New Zealand. Testing on small components, and beam column joint subassemblies have demonstrated stable, efficient hysteretic behaviour with almost no damage. This paper reports quasi-static testing of full scale AFC specimens using different shim materials: mild steel, aluminium, brass, bisalloy grades 80, 400 and 500. The assembling process and hysteretic behaviour of the connections are described. Effects of different shim materials on the hysteresis loop stability and on the magnitude of the friction force are also discussed. Results show stable hysteretic behaviour and minimum degradation effects using shim materials with high Brinell hardness values ranging from 300BH to 500BH.