Seismic performance of RC shear wall structure enhanced by replaceable negative-stiffness friction damping corner components

Reinforced concrete (RC) shear wall structures are widely employed in medium-to high-rise buildings and regions prone to strong earthquakes due to their superior seismic resistance. Among their key substructures, the wall corner plays a pivotal role in governing the overall seismic performance. This study explored the integration of negative-stiffness damping mechanism at wall corners to enhance the seismic resilience of coupled shear wall systems. A mechanical model was developed to elucidate the working mechanism of negative stiffness and its enhancement effect on the energy dissipation efficiency of friction damping devices. A novel negative-stiffness friction damping device and a corresponding wall corner shock-absorption strategy were proposed, and their feasibility and damping performance were rigorously assessed. Results indicate that the incorporation of negative stiffness significantly improves the effectiveness of the friction damping device by reducing the equivalent stiffness and amplifying deformation, thereby enhancing hysteretic energy dissipation capacity. The proposed device, guided by a clear and practical design principle, can effectively replace conventional wall corners. It achieves comprehensive control over lateral displacement, internal force, and acceleration response, while simultaneously addressing post-earthquake repair challenges and promoting structural sustainability.