Choice between series and parallel connections of hysteretic system and viscous damper for seismic protection of structures

Supplemental viscous damping devices are generally envisioned to be connected in parallel to the inelastic parent structure or hysteretic damping devices. This gives rise to higher base shear, and often greater ductility demand of the hysteretic system. The series connection of the viscous and hysteretic system (the inelastic structure or a damper) is an alternative approach. In this paper, comparisons between the series and parallel connections of the hysteretic system and viscous dampers are done through response spectra analyses of single degree of freedom structures. Ductility demand of the hysteretic system and the total base shear are chosen as the response quantities. For the series model, a semi‐implicit solution scheme for classical Maxwell model is modified to include the inelasticity of the time‐independent hysteretic spring. It is observed that the series connection of the 2 dampers gives lower base shear than does the parallel connection. For long‐period and low‐damping structures, the ductility demand of the hysteretic system in series connection is higher than that in parallel connection. Increasing the viscous damping in series connection reduces the ductility demand substantially, lower than that obtained in parallel connection. Practical methods for implementing the series and parallel connections, in line with roof isolation, are also suggested.     

Optimal design and seismic performance of tuned mass damper inerter (TMDI) for structures with nonlinear base isolation systems

The tuned mass damper inerter (TMDI) couples the classical tuned mass damper (TMD) with an inerter, a mechanical device whose generated force is proportional to the relative acceleration between its terminals, thus providing beneficial mass‐amplification effects. This paper deals with a dynamic layout in which the TMDI is installed below the isolation floor of base‐isolated structures in order to enhance the earthquake resilience and reduce the displacement demand. Unlike most of the literature studies that assumed a linearized behavior of the isolators, the aim of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of the TMDI while accounting for the nonlinearity of the isolators. Two nonlinear constitutive behaviors are considered, a Coulomb friction model and a Bouc‐Wen hysteretic model, representative of friction pendulum and of lead‐rubber‐bearing isolators, respectively. Optimal design is based on the stochastic dynamic analysis of the system, by modeling the base acceleration as a Kanai‐Tajimi filtered stationary random process and resorting to the stochastic linearization technique to handle the nonlinear terms. Different tuning criteria based on displacement, acceleration, and energy‐based performance indices are defined, and their implications in a design process are discussed. It is proven that the improved robustness of the TMDI reduces its performance sensitivity to the tuning frequency and to the earthquake frequency content, which are well‐known shortcomings of TMD‐like systems. This important feature makes the TMDI particularly suitable for nonlinear base‐isolated structures that are affected by unavoidable uncertainties in the isolators' properties and that may experience changes of isolators effective stiffness depending on the excitation level.     

Experimental verification of seismic vibration control using a semi‐active friction tuned mass damper

A tuned mass damper (TMD) system consists of an added mass with properly functioning spring and damping elements for providing frequency‐dependent damping in a primary structure. The advantage of a friction‐type TMD, that is, a nonlinear TMD, is its energy dissipation via a friction mechanism. In contrast, the disadvantages of a passive friction TMD (PF‐TMD) are its fixed and predetermined slip load and loss of tuning and energy dissipation capabilities when it is in a stick state. A semi‐active friction TMD (SAF‐TMD) is used to overcome these disadvantages. The SAF‐TMD can adjust its slip force in response to structure motion. To verify its feasibility, a prototype SAF‐TMD was fabricated and tested dynamically using a shaking table test. A nonsticking friction control law was used to keep the SAF‐TMD activated and in a slip state in earthquakes at varying intensities. The shaking table test results demonstrated that: (i) the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical results; (ii) the SAF‐TMD is more effective than the PF‐TMD given a similar peak TMD stroke; and (iii) the SAF‐TMD can also prevent a residual TMD stroke in a PF‐TMD system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pin‐supported walls for enhancing the seismic performance of building structures

An application of a pin‐supported wall‐frame system in retrofitting an eleven‐story steel reinforced concrete frame is introduced. The retrofit aims at enhancing integrity and avoiding weak story failure in an existing moment‐resisting frame. Seismic performance of the building before and after the retrofit is assessed through nonlinear dynamic analysis. The results show that the pin‐supported walls are effective in controlling the deformation pattern of the ductile frame and hence in avoiding weak story failure. With the well‐controlled deformation pattern, carefully arranged energy dissipating devices are able to concentrate energy dissipations so that damage to the rest of the structure can be significantly reduced. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An investigation of tuned liquid dampers equipped with damping screens under 2D excitation

This paper reports on the results of a study conducted on tanks partially filled with water, representing tuned liquid dampers (TLD), subjected to both 1D and 2D horizontal excitations. The sloshing response of the water in the tank is characterized by the free surface motion, the resulting base shear force, and evaluation of the energy dissipated by the sloshing water. A 1D non‐linear flow model capable of simulating a TLD equipped with damping screens is employed to model a 2D TLD. Application of this particular model requires the assumption that the response is decoupled and can be treated as the summation of two independent 1D TLDs. Results from the non‐linear flow model are compared with the 2D experimental shake table test results leading to a validation of the decoupled response assumption. This attractive decoupled response property allows square and rectangular tanks to be used as 2D TLDs, which can simultaneously reduce the dynamic response of a structure in two perpendicular modes of vibration. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental performance evaluation of an equipment isolation using MR dampers

Critical non‐structural equipments, including life‐saving equipment in hospitals, circuit breakers, computers, high technology instrumentations, etc., are vulnerable to strong earthquakes, and the failure of these equipments may result in a heavy economic loss. In this connection, innovative control systems and strategies are needed for their seismic protections. This paper presents the performance evaluation of passive and semi‐active control in the equipment isolation system for earthquake protection. Through shaking table tests of a 3‐story steel frame with equipment on the first floor, a magnetorheological (MR)‐damper together with a sliding friction pendulum isolation system is placed between the equipment and floor to reduce the vibration of the equipment. Various control algorithms are used for this semi‐active control studies, including the decentralized sliding mode control (DSMC) and LQR control. The passive‐on and passive‐off control of MR damper is used as a reference for the discussion on the control effectiveness. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and analytical study on pounding reduction of base‐isolated highway bridges using MR dampers

Pounding between adjacent superstructures has been a major cause of highway bridge damage in the past several earthquakes. This paper presents an experimental and analytical study on pounding reduction of highway bridges subjected to earthquake ground motions by using magnetorheological (MR) dampers. An analytical model, which incorporates structural pounding and MR dampers, is developed. A series of shaking table tests on a 1:20 scaled base‐isolated bridge model are performed to investigate the effects of pounding between adjacent superstructures on the dynamics of the structures. Based on the test results, the parameters of the linear and the nonlinear viscoelastic impact models are identified. Performance of the semiactive system for reducing structural pounding is also investigated experimentally, in which the MR dampers are used in conjunction with the proposed control strategy, to verify the effectiveness of the MR dampers. Structural responses are also simulated by using the established analytical model and compared with the shaking table test results. The results show that pounding between adjacent superstructures of the highway bridge significantly increases the structural acceleration responses. For the base‐isolated bridge model considered here, the semiactive control system with MR dampers effectively precludes pounding. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于性能的黏弹性阻尼器减震结构抗震设计

根据黏弹性阻尼器的特点和抗震规范的要求,分别提出了用于黏弹性阻尼器减震结构抗震分析的弹性及弹塑性需求谱,前者是基于黏弹性阻尼器减震结构等效阻尼比的简化计算公式及规范规定的反应谱;后者是基于修正的V id icRμ-μ-T关系。在此基础上,借助模态推覆分析,提出了可以考虑高阶振型影响的黏弹性阻尼器消能减震结构体系的能力谱分析方法,并对一8层钢筋混凝土消能减震框架结构进行了"中震不坏,大震可修"性能水准下的抗震分析。算例结果表明,采用该方法分析黏弹性阻尼器减震结构体系是可行的、有效的。     

相邻结构地震反应MR阻尼器控制的仿真分析

本文仿真分析了应用磁流变(MR)阻尼器对相邻结构地震反应的控制效果,为进一步开展模型试验研究奠定了基础。建立了地震激励下相邻结构MR阻尼器控制系统的运动方程,提出了描述MR阻尼器阻尼力滞回特性的改进S igmoid模型,分别对应用开关控制、半主动控制以及最小或最大电流被动控制的四种控制方法的相邻结构地震反应的控制效果进行了仿真分析。结果表明,在相邻结构间连接安装MR阻尼器可以有效地控制相邻结构的地震反应,且开关控制方法和半主动控制方法的控制效果均好于两种被动控制方法,体现了MR阻尼器阻尼力可调的优点;在四种控制方法中,半主动控制方法的控制效果最好,体现了MR阻尼器阻尼力具有连续调节能力的优点;若能解决MR阻尼器的剩磁问题,半主动控制方法的控制效果会得到进一步的提高。