Abstract
aim/background: This study proposes a novel self-centering friction composite damper incorporating Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) to improve both energy dissipation capacity and residual deformation control of building structures. methods: Finite element models of the proposed SMA self-centering friction composite damper and a conventional SMA self-centering damper were established using ABAQUS in 2025, and their mechanical performance was compared in terms of hysteretic behavior, backbone response, and energy dissipation capacity. Parametric analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of SMA bar diameter and high-strength bolt preload, and nonlinear time-history analyses of steel frame structures with and without the proposed damper were performed to evaluate its seismic control effect. results: The proposed composite damper exhibited better mechanical performance than the conventional SMA self-centering damper, with a 17.10% increase in maximum load-bearing capacity and a 91.52% increase in cumulative energy dissipation at a displacement of 10 mm. The SMA bar diameter and bolt preload significantly affected the bearing capacity, energy dissipation, equivalent damping ratio, and residual deformation. Structural analysis showed that the top-story displacement was reduced by 15.10%–22.22%, the maximum inter-story drift ratio by 11.76%–18.52%, and the base shear by 7.22%–11.11%. conclusion: The proposed SMA self-centering friction composite damper effectively combines self-centering capacity and frictional energy dissipation, and it has good potential for improving the seismic performance and resilience of building structures.

Key words: SMA-incorporated friction damper; seismic performance; shape memory alloy; vibration energy dissipation; finite element modeling