Seismic energy factor of self-centering systems subjected to near-fault earthquake ground motions

•The energy factor of self-centering systems is quantified and derived.•The influence of hysteretic features is appreciable.•The Newmark and Hall spectra might lead to biased estimation.•The proposed energy factor can be used to establish energy based procedures.

This research focuses on the seismic energy factor of self-centering systems. Based on energy balance concept, the energy factor of self-centering systems is derived. To clarify the influence of hysteretic parameters on the energy factor, nonlinear dynamic analyses of flag-shaped single-degree-of-freedom systems are performed. An ensemble of near-fault earthquake ground motion records is used as excitations. Numerical evaluations considering different combinations of hysteretic nonlinear parameters including the post-yielding stiffness ratio and ductility factor are performed. A comparison with the widely used design spectra is also made. The dispersion of analyses results is also presented. Results indicate that the energy factor of self-centering systems is appreciably influenced by nonlinear parameters (the ductility factor and post-yielding stiffness ratio). Results of this study are instructive for the revelation of the energy balance mode of self-centering systems, and they can be helpful to enhance and improve the current procedures based on energy balance concept.