Displacement-based design of SDOF frames cladded with dissipative rocking panels

In this study, a simplified model is proposed to analyze the behavior of rocking panels with friction connections under seismic loads. Traditional rocking systems, often equipped with dissipative devices, present challenges for practitioners due to the complexity of the mathematical models involved, which require solving differential equations describing the negative tangent stiffness caused by the intrinsic instability of rocking motion.
The new model overcomes these difficulties by treating the system as a Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) oscillator. This allows for the adaptation of displacement-based design (DBD) procedures without the need for complex closed-form solutions. The model simulates the behavior of rocking panels with friction connections, which offer substantial sliding stiffness and energy dissipation, providing both stability and damping to the structure. The proposed methodology is validated by comparing its predictions to pseudo-dynamic tests conducted on a single-storey precast industrial building, demonstrating excellent accuracy and reliability. The simplified approach enables practitioners to estimate the lateral response of these systems using a linear spectral analysis, offering a practical tool for the seismic design of structures that incorporate rocking panels and friction connections. Future developments will explore extensions of the model for multistorey buildings.