Automated Production of Low Cost Pultruded Composite Bracing for Seismic Energy Dissipation Structures

KaZaK Composites Incorporated (KCI) proposes to continue development of the inexpensive and weight-efficient hybrid composite energy-dissipating brace for seismic retrofit whose feasibility was demonstrated in the Phase I project. The low-strength/highstrain dissipating element in this unbonded brace concept may be extruded at low cost per foot, and then combined with a continuously wound or pultruded stiffening sleeve of composite materials to suppress low energy buckling failure modes. While theconstruction materials embodied in this damper concept are more expensive than those in competing devices, there is very little touch labor in the fabrication and assembly of the KCI brace, making the installed cost competitive with existing products. Thehigher weight-specific energy dissipation enabled by using advanced materials is therefore a bonus that may be especially useful in retrofit applications, where installation is more constrained by accessibility than new-build applications.The principal activities proposed for the Phase II project include scaling up the prototype brace designs of Phase I to full size, and testing representative examples both singly and in realistic steel-frame building configurations. Additionally, we willcollaborate with an experienced construction engineering/consulting firm to develop a connection system that will be economical and straightforward in both design and installation.