Advanced Semi-Active Resetable Devices and Device Modeling Including Non-Linearities

Resetable devices are a novel semi-active approach to managing structural response energy. Recently developed devices allow independent control of each chamber enabling unique approaches to sculpting the structural hysteresis loops and behaviour. This paper creates a non-linear model of experimental prototypes that is fully generalisable, and does so in a step-by-step fashion adding each non-linear affect individually. Non-linearities that can significantly affect performance, including valve size, mass flow rate and friction are characterised experimentally and modeled. The results are validated against experimental data for cases of all forms of device control, as well as for several experimental cases utilizing external pressurized sources to enhance the force capacity. Force capacity, using a pressurised reservoir and/or accumulator increased force capacity of these devices from 100-600%, increasing the potential of these designs and approach to seismic energy dissipation. Final model results have less than 5% error compared to nonlinear experimental data. There is a strong correlation between the fundamental nonlinear dynamics modelled and the experimental results, validating the overall model and approach. The overall results and approach are fully general for application to the design or analysis of similar device systems