To　achieve　the　purpose　of　multi-level　protection　of　the　main　structure　and　reduce　the　residual　deformation　of　conventional　energy　dissipation　dampers　under　strong　earthquakes,　a　novel　variable　hysteresis　performance　damper　based　on　shape　memory　alloy　(SMA-VHD)　was　proposed.　The　damper＇　s　configuration,　variable　hysteresis　performance,　and　working　mechanism　were　elucidated.　A　refined　finite　element　model　of　the　damper　was　formulated　by　leveraging　the　outcomes　of　plate　specimen　tests　using　SMA.　The　hysteresis　performance　study　and　parametric　investigations　are　based　on　the　verified　finite　element　model.　Finally,　the　multi-level　seismic　performance　of　a　double-column　RC　bridge　bent　with　additional　variable　hysteresis　performance　damper　was　studied　by　dynamic　time-history　analysis.　Results　indicate　that　SMA　exhibits　a　distinctive　stress-strain　relationship　resembling　a　flag,　which　shows　good　self-centering　capability.　The　SMA-VHD　actualizes　variable　hysteresis　performance,　with　ihe　hysteresis　response　transitioning　from　rectangular　to　Hag-shaped　as　the　damper　deformation　increases,　accompanied　by　a　prominent　multi-level　platform.　Applying　SMA-VHD　to　RC　bridge　bents　imparts　multi-level　seismic　performance　and　enhances　the　structure＇　s　seismic　performance.　©　2024　Chinese　Vibration　Engineering　Society.　All　rights　reserved.