Abstract:The failure mode of "strong joint weak component" resisting seismic excitation is the precondition for the frame to exert its good seismic performance. To ensure the realization of that failure mode, a energy-dissipation scheme that installs sector lead viscoelastic damper(SLVD) at adjacent core joint was proposed. For studying the effect of the SLVD on protection of core joint and seismic performance of RC frame, two two-bay and two-story RC specimens, with the same dimension, material and rebar, were designed and built. One of the specimens is the ordinary RC frame specimen and the other is the RC energy-dissipation frame specimen installed SLVD. The failure mode, hysteresis behavior, bearing capacity, strength and stiffness degradation, and absorbing-energy capacity of the RC energy-dissipation frame specimen were contrasted with the ordinary RC frame specimen by quasi-static test. The test results indicated that, compared to the serious shear damage at the joints of the ordinary RC frame specimen, slight damage occurs at the joints of the RC energy-dissipation frame specimen. Due to the excellent energy-absorbing and protection of SLVD, the emergence of cracks at the joints is delayed, the development of cracks is controlled, and the damage of the whole frame is alleviated. The SLVD plays a role of energy-dissipation haunch brace, which promotes the bearing capacity, lateral stiffness and energy-dissipation capacity of frame. The installation of SLVD changes the internal force distribution and transmission path near the joint area, which reduces the shear force and bending moment transmitted to joint area. At the same time, it also changes the force distribution of beam and column component, which should be considered at the energy-dissipation design. The installation of SLVD in joint area is conducive to the realization of the "strong node weak component" seismic design concept. The seismic performance of the RC energy-dissipation frame is better than that of the ordinary RC frame.