Traditional seismic support and hanger systems often suffer from issues such as uneven stress distribution, inefficient material utilization, and limited energy-dissipation capacity, which compromise their seismic performance. This study proposes a new-type seismic support and hanger system through structural optimization to address these challenges. The traditional system, characterized by C-shaped channel steel and single-ear connectors, was analyzed using finite-element methods, revealing significant stress concentration and suboptimal load-bearing efficiency. To overcome these limitations, the new-type system replaces the C-shaped channel steel with square steel tubes and adopts double-ear connectors, transforming the load-bearing components from eccentric to axial loading. This modification ensures more uniform stress distribution, reduces stress concentration, and improves material utilization. Experimental and numerical simulations demonstrate that the new-type system achieves a two-stage energy-dissipation mechanism: frictional dissipation during bolt slippage and plastic dissipation after slippage, significantly enhancing its seismic resilience. Compared to the traditional system, the new design exhibits higher load-bearing capacity, superior energy-dissipation performance, and a 10% reduction in steel consumption. These improvements align with modern engineering demands for sustainability and efficiency. The findings provide valuable insights for the design of seismic support systems, offering a robust solution for enhancing the resilience of civil infrastructure against seismic hazards.
Key Words
energy dissipation; finite-element analysis; material utilization; seismic support and hanger; stress concentration; structural optimization
Address
Jiexian Luo, Huzhi Zhang, Kechen Yu, Zhandong Chen, Xianglong Xiao, Ziyou Chen — School of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, 411201, China
Yiming Xu — Hunan Weifu Automotive Parts Co. Ltd., Xiangtan, 411100, China
PDF Viewer
Preview is limited to the first 3 pages. Sign in to access the full PDF.
