A Multifunctional MR Damper with Dual Damping and Locking Mechanisms for Seismic Control of Multi-Span Continuous Bridges
Source abstract
Abstract
To overcome the limitations of conventional dampers and enhance seismic resilience in multi-span continuous bridges, this study synthesized a magnetorheological shear-stiffening gel (MRSSG) that integrates shear-stiffening (SS) materials with magnetorheological (MR) components, enabling passive rate-sensitive adaptation and magnetic-field-driven directionality. Leveraging this material, we developed a multifunctional MR damper combining high-frequency load-sharing locking and low-frequency magnetically controlled damping mechanisms. Numerical simulations under diverse seismic waves (El Centro, Koyna, and Wenchuan) demonstrated the damper’s effectiveness: it redistributed internal forces from fixed to movable piers, reducing fixed-pier shear forces by up to 62.3% (e.g., from 258,714 kN to 97,419 kN under Wenchuan waves), and under semi-active control via a semi-step on–off strategy, it suppressed displacement responses by >95% at movable-pier deck measurement points. This work establishes a robust solution for improving seismic performance in large-scale civil infrastructure.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Vibration Control and Rheological Fluids · Seismic Performance and Analysis · Structural Engineering and Vibration Analysis
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000, China
Anhui Engineering Research Center of Green Building and Digital Construction, Wuhu 241000, China
School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo 315211, China
Department of Engineering Mechanics, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Funding
Anhui Province University Research Project · Jiangsu Province Key R&D Project · Housing Urban and Rural Construction Science and Technology Project of Anhui province · National College Students’ innovation and entrepreneurship training program · Research Start-up Fund Project of Ningbo University of Technology
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