Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), NHERI 2025: Characterization of the Elastic–Plastic Behavior of a Superelastic Friction Damper

This project develops a numerical model for the Superelastic Friction Damper to simulate its nonlinear response under cyclic loading. By combining a LuGre friction model with a superelastic SMA model, the approach captures both elastic and plastic behavior, including residual deformation. The model is calibrated using experimental data and particle swarm optimization. The datasets and methodology can be reused for validating other damping models or informing seismic design. This project is unique in its hybrid modeling of friction and superelasticity, providing realistic predictions of device behavior. The primary audience includes structural engineers, researchers in smart materials, and developers of structural simulation tools.