Abstract
A new response control mechanism, which is composed of frames equipped with passive dampers and hardening elements with gaps, is proposed. Using this mechanism, the frames response as usual vibration controlled systems within expected amplitude levels, and they show full capacities against unexpectedly large earthquake ground motions, by changing their vibration modes. The authors demonstrate the effectiveness of the system by conducting response analyses of a multi-degree-of-freedom model. And they also reported a loading test results of scaled frames equipped with the proposed system.
