Free from damage steel connections

The objective of the research program FREEDAM (FREE from DAMage steel connections) is the development of a novel strategy based on the introduction of connections in steel Moment Resisting Frames (MRFs) able to withstand without any damage inelastic rotation demands occurring under destructive seismic events. Such innovative beam-to-column connections are equipped with friction dampers located at the bottom beam flange level to dissipate the earthquake input energy. During the three years of duration of the project, a significant experimental and numerical work has been carried out. The work done has allowed proposing new design rules for MRFs equipped with FREEDAM joints, with a focus on the seismic performance and progressive collapse issues. The research consortium, in the final part of the project, has concentrated all the efforts on linking the research work with the market. To this scope, prototypes of FREEDAM connections to be industrially produced have been designed, realized and tested and a catalogue for the practical and simple selection of the industrialized devices has been provided. In the months of May and June 2018, the research results have been disseminated through two workshops organized in Coimbra and Salerno. In conclusion, the research project was successful developing a new design strategy and technology for the construction of steel structures with highly increased reliability against seismic loadings, robustness in case of exceptional events such as explosions, impacts, etc., and significantly improved sustainability.