The aim of this paper is to investigate whether metal-foam-made devices can be effective to dissipate seismic energy in buildings during strong earthquakes. To this purpose, non-linear numerical analyses of concentrically braced steel buildings under recorded ground motions have been carried out, while some experimental tests on metal-foam specimens and metal-foam-filled tubes have been performed. Foam-based devices are assumed to be inserted within the diagonal braces of the considered steel frame to dissipate energy by plastic deformation during strong earthquakes. To apply the experimental data, a scaled numerical model of the prototype building has been implemented by means of the similitude theory and the Buckingham n theorem. The results of the study provide a preliminary assessment of the potential of metal foam-based dissipaters to reduce the seismic effects in civil structures.
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