This paper presents novel sandwich-structured superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) honeycomb dampers. The system comprises a superelastic SMA honeycomb plate that provides self-centering and large deformation capacity, a high-damping rubber core, metallic and rubber infills (round or hexagonal) that support the SMA walls and dissipate energy, and two encased steel plates to restrain out-of-plane buckling of the honeycomb plate. First, the numerical simulation method is validated against experimental results of an non-sandwiched SMA honeycomb damper. Subsequently, a comparative study is conducted to assess the mechanical performance and local stress and strain distribution of various sandwich-structured SMA honeycomb dampers. Finally, the optimal configuration is identified. The results demonstrate that sandwich-structured SMA honeycomb dampers substantially enhance strength and energy-dissipation capacity while effectively reducing stress and strain concentrations compared with their non-sandwiched counterparts.
AlimardaniMAsghariAMohammadiS, et al. (2026) Experimental and numerical investigation of a novel nested cushion damper for multi-level passive seismic energy dissipation. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering200: 109916.
2.
AsfawAMCaoLOzbulutOE, et al. (2022) Development of a shape memory alloy-based friction damper and its experimental characterization considering rate and temperature effects. Engineering Structures273: 115101.
3.
BakhshayeshYShayanfarMGhamariA (2021) Improving the performance of concentrically braced frame utilizing an innovative shear damper. Journal of Constructional Steel Research182: 106672.
CaoSOzbulutOE (2020) Long-stroke shape memory alloy restrainers for seismic protection of bridges. Smart Materials and Structures29: 115005.
6.
CaoSOzbulutOE (2024) Experimental response characterization and comparative seismic performance assessment of a long-stroke shape memory alloy bridge restrainer. Engineering Structures315: 118450.
7.
CaoSOzbulutOEWuS, et al. (2020) Multi-level SMA/lead rubber bearing isolation system for seismic protection of bridges. Smart Materials and Structures29: 055045.
8.
CaoSShengXQiuH, et al. (2026) Shake table tests of gravity well-inspired double friction pendulum systems under Bi-directional ground motions. Engineering Structures353: 122278.
9.
CaoSShiFCaoL, et al. (2024) A hybrid self-centering seismic damper: Finite element modeling and parametric analysis. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures35(4): 440–457.
10.
ChenSWangWZhouC, et al. (2023) Damping capacity and seismic performance of a torsional metallic damper using a displacement amplification mechanism. Journal of Bridge Engineering28(10): 04023071.
11.
ConstantinouMCTsopelasPHammelW, et al. (2001) Toggle-brace-damper seismic energy dissipation systems. Journal of Structural Engineering127(2): 105–112.
12.
De DomenicoDRicciardiGTakewakiI (2019) Design strategies of viscous dampers for seismic protection of building structures: a review. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering118: 144–165.
13.
DengKPanPSunJ, et al. (2014) Shape optimization design of steel shear panel dampers. Journal of Constructional Steel Research99: 187–193.
14.
DengKPanPWangC (2013) Development of crawler steel damper for bridges. Journal of Constructional Steel Research85: 140–150.
15.
DursunSETopkayaCBozkurtMB (2026) Mechanical properties and displacement capacity of welded-plate flexural yielding dampers. Journal of Constructional Steel Research236: 109953.
16.
FangCLiangDZhengY, et al. (2022) Seismic performance of bridges with novel SMA cable-restrained high damping rubber bearings against near-fault ground motions. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics51(1): 44–65.
17.
FangCLiuXWangW, et al. (2023) Full-scale shaking table test and numerical analysis of structural frames with SMA cable-restrained base isolation. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics52(12): 3879–3902.
18.
FenzDMConstantinouMC (2006) Behaviour of the double concave friction pendulum bearing. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics35(11): 1403–1424.
19.
FerraioliMLavinoADe MatteisG (2023) A design method for seismic retrofit of reinforced concrete frame buildings using aluminum shear panels. Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering23(2): 106.
20.
GhabraieKChanRHuangX, et al. (2010) Shape optimization of metallic yielding devices for passive mitigation of seismic energy. Engineering Structures32(8): 2258–2267.
21.
Gorji AzandarianiMGorji AzandarianiAAbdolmalekiH (2020) Cyclic behavior of an energy dissipation system with steel dual-ring dampers (SDRDs). Journal of Constructional Steel Research172: 106145.
22.
GuoAZhaoQLiH (2012) Experimental study of a highway bridge with shape memory alloy restrainers focusing on the mitigation of unseating and pounding. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration11(2): 195–204.
23.
HanQLiangXWenJ, et al. (2020) Multiple-variable frequency pendulum isolator with high-performance materials. Smart Materials and Structures29: 075002.
24.
HuangJZhuSWangB, et al. (2024) Shake table tests of steel moment resisting frame with self-centering SMA-based isolators. Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics53(11): 3489–3513.
25.
JaiseeSYueFOoiYH (2021) A state-of-the-art review on passive friction dampers and their applications. Engineering Structures235: 112022.
26.
JavanmardiAGhaediKIbrahimZ, et al. (2020) Development of a new hexagonal honeycomb steel damper. Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering20: 1–19.
27.
LeeC-HJuYKMinJ-K, et al. (2015) Non-uniform steel strip dampers subjected to cyclic loadings. Engineering Structures99: 192–204.
28.
LeeMLeeJKimJ (2017) Seismic retrofit of structures using steel honeycomb dampers. International Journal of Steel Structures17(1): 215–229.
29.
LiJPengTXuY (2008) Damage investigation of girder bridges under the Wenchuan earthquake and corresponding seismic design recommendations. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration7(4): 337–344.
30.
LiLOhkuboTMatsumotoS (2021) Vibration measurement of a steel building with viscoelastic dampers using acceleration sensors. Measurement171: 108807.
31.
LiSHedayati DezfuliFWangJ-Q, et al. (2018) Displacement-based seismic design of steel, FRP, and SMA cable restrainers for isolated simply supported bridges. Journal of Bridge Engineering23(6): 04018032.
32.
LongXZhouQMaY, et al. (2024) Displacement-based seismic design of SMA cable-restrained sliding lead rubber bearing for isolated continuous girder bridges. Engineering Structures300: 117179.
33.
MichailidisPATriantafyllidisNShawJA, et al. (2009) Superelasticity and stability of a shape memory alloy hexagonal honeycomb under In-plane compression. International Journal of Solids and Structures46(13): 2724–2738.
34.
MottolaSFerraioliMMistakidisE, et al. (2024) Behavior and design of dumbbell-shaped steel strip dampers. International Conference on the Behaviour of Steel Structures in Seismic Areas. Springer, 174-186.
35.
QiuCLiuJDuX (2022) Cyclic behavior of SMA slip friction damper. Engineering Structures250: 113407.
36.
RaiDCAnnamPKPradhanT (2013) Seismic testing of steel braced frames with aluminum shear yielding dampers. Engineering Structures46: 737–747.
37.
SaeediFShabakhtyNMousaviSR (2016) Seismic assessment of steel frames with triangular-plate added damping and stiffness devices. Journal of Constructional Steel Research125: 15–25.
38.
ShuZYouRXieY (2024) Viscoelastic dampers for vibration control of building structures: A State-of-Art Review. Journal of Earthquake Engineering28: 3558–3585.
39.
SoydanCÇalımFGüllüA, et al. (2024) Experimental investigation of the effective parameters on the lead extrusion damper performance. Engineering Structures318: 118714.
40.
SystemesD (2018) ABAQUS 2017 Documentation. English. Version 6.
41.
WangGCaoSOzbulutOE (2025) Development of a Latticed Long-Stroke SMA Bar Restrainer for Seismic Protection of Bridges. STRUCTURES. Elsevier. p.109904.
42.
XuYHLiAQZhouXD, et al. (2010) Shape optimization study of mild steel slit dampers. Advanced Materials Research168-170: 2434–2438.
43.
YangTYLiTTobberL, et al. (2020) Experimental and numerical study of honeycomb structural fuses. Engineering Structures204: 109814.
44.
YuanWWangBCheungP, et al. (2012) Seismic performance of cable-sliding friction bearing system for isolated bridges. Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Vibration11(2): 173–183.
45.
ZhakatayevAKappassovZVarolHA (2020) Analytical modeling and design of negative stiffness honeycombs. Smart Materials and Structures29(4): 045024.
46.
ZhangCWuJHuangW, et al. (2021) Experimental and numerical study on seismic performance of semi-rigid steel frame infilled with prefabricated damping wall panels. Engineering Structures246: 113056.
47.
ZhangE-YTongJ-ZGuoY-L (2023) Seismic performance of triple-truss-latticed buckling-restrained braces: Tests and numerical simulations. Journal of Constructional Steel Research204: 107880.
48.
ZhengWWangHHaoH, et al. (2021) Superelastic CuAlBe wire-based sliding lead rubber bearings for seismic isolation of bridges in cold regions. Engineering Structures247: 113102.
49.
ZhuangPZhaoWZhangG, et al. (2024) Shaking table tests on seismic behaviors of a single-layer spherical lattice shell with shape memory alloy-controlled friction pendulum bearings. Journal of Building Engineering82: 108150.
50.
ZhuXHouLLeiG, et al. (2026) Energy-dissipating anti-collision station building columns incorporating X-shaped dampers: experimental and numerical investigation. Journal of Building Engineering117: 114927.
51.
ZuoX-BLiAQChenQ-F (2008) Design and analysis of a superelastic SMA Damper. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures19(6): 631–639.
