In this study the pseudo-elastic properties of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy wires are used for attenuation of seismic response of a steel structure. Thus effectiveness and applicability of these wires controlling the seismic response is brought out. In this paper, shake table tests, carried out on a model of a steel structure with and without wire based shape memory alloy dampers are discussed in details. Shake table tests, carried out comprised of free vibration tests and spectrum compatible time history tests. The former were used for evaluation of frequency and damping and the later were used to prove the efficacy of shape memory alloy dampers. Further analytical simulations are carried out using simple iterative response spectrum method with equivalent damping and stiffness in order to evaluate the response of the structure with SMA dampers. It is proved that this method can be conservatively used by designers.

Keywords: Seismic, Damper, Response, Shape memory alloy, Shake table.