An energy-based method for seismic retrofit of existing frames using hysteretic dampers

This paper proposes a method for the seismic retrofitting of existing frames by adding hysteretic energy dissipating devices (EDDs). The procedure is based on the energy balance of the structure, and it is used to determine the lateral strength, the lateral stiffness and the energy dissipation capacity of the EDDs needed in each story to achieve prescribed target performance levels for a given earthquake hazard. The performance levels are governed by the maximum lateral displacement. The earthquake hazard is characterized in terms of input energy and several seismological parameters, and further takes into account the proximity of the earthquake to the source. The proposed method deals with the effect of the EDDs explicitly in terms of hysteretic energy, bypassing equivalent viscous damping approximations, and directly quantifies the cumulative damage induced in the EDDs. The validity of the method is assessed numerically through nonlinear dynamic response analyses with near-fault and far-field ground motions, as well as experimentally through dynamic shaking table tests.