Shape-memory NiTi alloy rebars in flexural-controlled large-scale reinforced concrete walls: Experimental investigation on self-centring and damage limitation

摘要

Economic damage and repair costs due to earthquakes are largely connected with permanent residual structural displacements. This study develops and tests the use of shape-memory Niti alloy rebars as a replacement to steel rebars in reinforced concrete walls. Large-scale cyclic quasi-static experimental tests on two units, pre-dominantly behaving in flexure, show a clear reduction of residual displacements and damage. Additionally, the superelastic flag-shaped hysteretic response of the smart alloy in the wall boundary elements guarantees a sizeable energy dissipation, opening a promising avenue both for new construction and repair works. The ex-perimental data is openly available (DOI: 10.14428/DVN/2QBQVJ).