Seismic response control of building with optimal location of metallic dampers

Abstract

The design of structures to reduce vibration due to external forces has been of major concern to engineers for many years. In an earthquake, large amounts of energy are transferred to structures, resulting in damage. Current design practice allows structures to yield to absorb energy, without collapse. However, focus has shifted to reduce the response of structures to external forces, which can be done by employing special protective systems. The effectiveness of two types of metallic dissipater (X-plate and accordion dampers) was studied in this work. In the first part of the study, the behaviour of a structure installed with structural control was investigated under eight earthquake records. Dampers in each storey at the outer frame of building were modelled. The dampers reduced damage measures such as like displacement and drift significantly. However, it is not possible to provide dampers in each storey. Thus, in the second part of the study, location-based optimisation was performed using a genetic algorithm for four and eight dampers and the best damper locations were identified for both types of dampers.