Title: A novel friction damper with an interference fit joint: an experimental and finite element study

Authors: Jamshid Sabouri; Farid Khalajzadeh

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Ta. C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran ' Department of Civil Engineering, Ta. C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract: The present study proposes a novel friction damper with an interference fit joint for seismic energy dissipation in structures. In this model, friction is produced between steel parts by creating a crust via an interference fit joint in the middle of the damper. In fact, the part begins to slide due to the designed axial force, causing frictional energy dissipation in the process. This idea can lead to the desired behaviour in frictional dampers. For this purpose, three laboratory samples were prepared and subjected to displacement-control cyclic loading according to the ATC-24 loading protocol. The results from both laboratory tests and finite element simulations showed that Sample 3 exhibited symmetric and stable hysteresis loops. The equivalent viscous damping ratio reached approximately 30%, demonstrating high energy dissipation capacity. This favourable performance was attributed to the sufficient engagement length, identified as a key parameter in frictional dampers with interference fit joints.

Keywords: friction damper; energy dissipation; cyclic behaviour; slipping; interference fit joint; press and shrink fits; equivalent viscous damping ratio; cyclic loading; experimental study; hysteresis curve; finite element.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTRUCTE.2025.150126

International Journal of Structural Engineering, 2025 Vol.15 No.4, pp.359 - 387

Received: 11 Aug 2024
Accepted: 19 Aug 2025
Published online: 01 Dec 2025 *

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