## 5 Conclusions  
In this study, two sets of low-cyclic loading tests were performed on assembled steel frames with AAC wall panels. The following observations were made:  
Figure 21: Energy consumption of specimens SF-1 and SF-2 per loading cycle.  
Figure 20: Energy dissipation coefficients of specimens SF-1 and SF-2.  
This study proposes an NEDC. The results show that the NEDC can adapt to large deformations between floors and improve the seismic performance of the overall structure. The effectiveness of using this NEDC has been proven through tests, which were conducted to reduce the damage caused to external AAC wall panels under earthquake action.
2. Under the same conditions, the yield and ultimate load capacity of the composite frame with NEDCs was greater by 8.38%-11.65% when compared to those of the composite frame with conventional hook bolt connectors.
3. For the composite frame with NEDCs, the displacement ductility coefficient was 3.34 to 3.47, the elastic limit displacement angle was \(\theta_{y}=(3.52\) to 3.62)\(\theta_{e}\), and the elastoplastic limit displacement angle was \(\theta_{u}=2.38\theta_{p}\). Thus, the NEDC led to a greater ductility of assembled steel frames when compared to that obtained using standard hook bolt connectors. Better ductility allows the structure to meet the necessary seismic design requirements.
4. The energy consumption capacity of the composite frame with NEDCs is greater than that of the composite frame with conventional hook bolt connectors. The total energy consumption of assembled steel frames with NEDCs is 1.01 times higher than that observed with assembled steel frames comprising conventional hook bolt connectors. After the horizontal displacement exceeds 75 mm, the energy consumption capacity of the composite frame with NEDCs for a single cycle becomes significantly higher. AAC wall panels are a brittle building material. General connectors can easily cause damage to the wall panels during installation, making the overall performance of AAC wall panels degrade. AAC wall panels are installed in two ways: inline and outline. NEDC is the connection piece that connects the external AAC wall panel to the steel frame. In the case of an earthquake, the NEDCs reduce the effect of the seismic transverse waves by allowing the bolts to move through the transverse bolt holes in the lower part. The seismic longitudinal waves cause the bolts to move in the vertical bolt holes in the upper part of the NEDC to reduce the effect of vertical seismic waves. This achieves the purpose of reducing earthquake energy and protecting the integrity of the building. Loading is significantly higher than that obtained with hook bolt connectors. The study findings revealed that NEDCs can be used to improve the seismic performance of assembled steel structures with AAC exterior wall panels and provide improved safety.  
Conceptualization, K.D.; methodology, K.D.; software, K.D. and K.W.; investigation, K.D. and K.W.; resources, K.D.; data curation, K.W. and T.Y.; writing--original draft preparation, K.D. and K.W.; writing--review and editing, K.D. and T.Y.; visualization, K.W.; supervision, K.D. and T.Y.; project administration, K.D.; funding acquisition, K.D. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by the University Synergy Innovation Program of Anhui Province (GXXT-2019-005); First-class undergraduate major in Anhui Province (2020 ylzxy04); University-level key discipline-Structural engineering in Anhui Xinhua University (ZDXK201701); Provincial Natural Science Key Research Project of Anhui Higher Education Institution (KJ2019A0883); Scientific Research Project of Key Laboratory of Building Structure in Anhui Province General Universities (KLBSZD202104); Natural Science Research Projects in Anhui Universities (KJ2020A0794).  
Not applicable.  
This research was financially supported by the University Synergy Innovation Program of Anhui Province (GXXT-2019-005).  
The authors declare no conflict of interest.