Comparative study of viscoelastic damper (VED) layout effect on dynamic response of asymmetric 30 story reinforced concrete structures

Abstract

The adoption of a supplemental damping system in building structures dissipates a portion of the seismic input energy, thereby reducing the amount of energy dissipated through inelastic behaviour (hysteretic damping) within the structural elements. Viscoelastic Dampers (VEDs) are utilized to reduce post-earthquake damage and are employed in this study. However, since different VED layouts result in varying dynamic responses, a comparative study of the dynamic responses of structures with various VED layouts is conducted using nonlinear time history analysis (NLTHA). This research aims to compare inter-story drift and structural yielding by analysing the dissipated hysteretic energy and the amount of inelastic damping within the system elements of three building prototypes, each having a different VED horizontal distribution (layout configuration). A 30-story RC SMF is chosen as the seismic force-resisting system. The control variables are the number of VEDs per story and the location of the floors where the VEDs are installed. The results of the study show that a dense distribution of VEDs on the building facade (M1) provides the best performance, followed by a dense distribution in the building interior (M3), and a loose distribution on the facade with VEDs located at the corner bays (M2).