The following paper describes the experimental testing and numerical analysis of dissipative steel angles for the increase of the hysteretic capacity of systems which otherwise have nominal amounts. The system is based on the DIS-CAM system developed at the University of Basilicata in Potenza, Italy. Additional dissipation devices can be placed at both the beam to column and/or column to foundation connection. The dissipation device consists of a steel angle, weakened by drilling holes or removing part of the thickness of the section and thus reducing by a significant amount of the angles cross section. This in turn concentrates yielding in a certain controlled region with characteristics which can be controlled to give the required hysteretic behaviour (ie. stiffness and strength) in design.

Testing have been performed in the structural laboratory of the University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy as part of a collaborative effort with the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. The dissipative devices were loaded at a rate of 0.5mm/sec and only in the positive direction in according with ASCEE load protocol.

Finite element models and hand calculations have been made in order to reproduce and simulate the experimental performance of the angle system. This paper focus on the characterization of the cyclic behaviour varying the yield force of the steel angles and on the simplification of the design procedures in order to apply this hysteretic energy dissipating systems in case of multi-storey post-tensioned  timber frame buildings.