Pure aluminium: An innovative material for structural applications in seismic engineering

In this paper the heat treated aluminium alloy EN-AW 1050A H24, which is an almost pure aluminium, is proposed as base material for the manufacturing of innovative passive energy dissipation devices for seismic protection of framed buildings. The employment of such a material is a novelty in the field of civil engineering; for this reason the main mechanical properties need to be thoroughly analysed. To this purpose, firstly, a detailed description of the nominal features of the material under consideration is provided and the proposed heat treatment employed to improve the material ductility is presented; then, the main outcomes of an experimental campaign carried out in order to investigate the material behaviour under both monotonic and cyclic static–dynamic loads are shown. Finally, the influence of residual stresses on the material behaviour due to welding is evaluated.

► The basic features of the heat treated alloy EN-AW 1050A H24 are analysed.
► Test results provide the material behaviour under monotonic and cyclic static loads.
► The material response under dynamic impulsive loads is investigated.
► Remarks on residual stresses provoked by welding processes are given.