Analytical and experimental study of a novel slip-friction connector for structural mechanics

Abstract

Slip-friction connectors are widely used in structural mechanics to enhance energy dissipation through controlled frictional sliding. However, conventional designs often rely on bolt pretension to generate normal forces at the friction interface, leading to challenges such as preload loss, implementation complexity, and long-term stability issues. To address these limitations and improve dissipation efficiency, this study investigates a novel slip-friction connector that eliminates the need for bolt pretension by integrating an elastic restoring force via a precompressed spring. The mechanics of the proposed device is analyzed through analytical modeling and validated with experimental testing. The analytical formulation, derived from equilibrium equations, provides a closed-form solution for the force–displacement response, capturing the interaction between frictional slip and elastic contributions. Cyclic tests are conducted to evaluate the mechanical response, validate the model, and assess energy dissipation capacity. The results demonstrate strong agreement between analytical predictions and experimental data, confirming the accuracy of the model. The findings highlight the potential of the proposed slip-friction connector as a versatile alternative to conventional dissipative connections, particularly for building applications such as timber structures, as well as other mechanical systems requiring controlled energy dissipation. Its compact design and the ability to tune the response by adjusting the spring stiffness enhance its adaptability across various fields. Moreover, the analytical model, being relatively straightforward, offers a practical and effective tool for engineering applications.