Finite element modelling of yielding shear panel device for passive energy dissipation

Yielding Shear Panel Device (YSPD) is a newly proposed passive energy dissipation device to make structures more sustainable against earthquakes by exploiting the shear deformation capacity of metallic plates. YSPD is easy to install using simple bolted connections and is significantly less expensive than currently available passive energy dissipation devices. If required, damaged YSPDs could be replaced easily after an earthquake causing minimum disruption to a structure. The current research explains the development of finite element models for the pilot experiments carried out on YSPD. The developed FE models include both material and geometric nonlinearities and use nonlinear spring elements to model appropriate support conditions observed in the experiments. Overall, good agreement is noticed between the FE models and the test results in regards to force displacement response and energy absorption. The developed FE models are validated for both monotonic and cyclic loading. This verification paves the way for generating further reliable set of data to develop appropriate design rules for YSPD.