Supplemental Damping for Improved Seismic Performance

Abstract

The results of several studies on the effects of supplemental viscous damping on the response of elastic and elasto-plastic single-degree-of-freedom systems are used to provide insight to the effects of large damping on the earthquake response of buildings and the interpretation of studies reporting the equivalent damping and increased stiffness characteristics of specific types of supplemental energy dissipation devices. Extension to multi-story buildings is discussed briefly. Conversion of the properties of viscous, viscoelastic, friction, and metallic yield device characteristics to equivalent viscous damping are proposed. Specific recommendations for the incorporation of the effects of supplemental energy dissipation devices in the code design process are given.