Structural Practices1 2
Structural Practices1 2
Structural Practices1 2
Seismic Dampers
State of the Applications
By H. Kit Miyamoto, M.S., S.E. and Robert D. Hanson, PhD, P.E.
There are over 150 structures in the United States and over 2,000 structures in Japan utilizing dampers to improve seismic response behavior. Damper
applications are closely tied to Performance Based Design (PBD). PBD will be a larger part of future seismic engineering, and applications of dampers will
be increased to provide safe and cost effective earthquake protection systems.
Introduction
Typical structures may possess 1% to 5%
inherent structural damping. This damping
may be contributed from architectural components such as partition walls, ceiling, exterior
cladding, and mechanical ducts etc. Dampers
directly provide an additional damping to
the structure in the form of discrete devices.
Dampers have been designed to provide 5%
to 50% of critical damping for many existing
and new structures. Dampers are introduced
to reduce or eliminate structural yielding and
architectural damage.
The basic philosophy for earthquake resistant design is commonly referred to as Life
Safety Performance. In a typical design, this
means that lateral force-resisting elements such
as moment frames, braced frames, and shear
walls are designed to yield during a design
level seismic excitation. Maximum
inelastic drift may be allowed
For both new and existing structures, dampers can provide better and more reliable performance than conventional construction.
Many devices have been thoroughly tested
and a rational design procedure is available.
Dynamic response calculations are commonly
performed to analyze the damped structure.
Many damped structures with 20% damping
or higher will keep the structure elastic.
Commercial software is available to analyze
structures with dampers. However, it is important to work with a building official during
the design phase. A qualified peer reviewer is
required by all of the current design codes
and guidelines.
Damper Types
There are four major groups of dampers
used in the United States. Each group of
dampers has specific characteristics, advantages
and disadvantages for structural applications.
Design engineers need to understand the static
and dynamic behavior of the device being used.
Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVDs)
Figure 1
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See Figure 8, previous page (Miyamoto, Determan, Gilani and Hanson, 2003).
For the new structures, 2003 NEHRP Recommendations (FEMA 450) contains
a chapter for designing structures with dampers. The FEMA 450 chapter on
supplemental damping is in the process of being accepted into ASCE 7-05. Again,
these requirements offer both linear and nonlinear design philosophy.
Figures 9 and 9a show the new Vacaville Police Headquarters in the Bay Area
(Miyamoto and Hanson, 2003). It uses the latest design features available in the
2003 NEHRP Recommendations for the designing of FVDs.
Future Trends
There are over 2000 structures with dampers or isolators in Japan. Japanese
Building Code requires incorporation of dampers in all major construction. In
the United States, applications of dampers will increase in the near future as new
guidelines, codes, and software are readily available for engineers. Using PBD and
dampers, it is possible to design safer and more cost effective structures than ordinary
code conformed structures.
Kit Miyamoto, M.S., S.E., provides expertise in
performance based engineering and award-winning
seismic designs. A licensed structural engineer in
eleven states, Mr. Miyamoto is CEO of Miyamoto
International, and adjunct professor at California
State University, Sacramento. He belongs to the ASCE
7 Seismic Task Committee.
Dr. Hanson is professor emeritus of civil engineering at
the University of Michigan where he was on the faculty for
35 years. He now is a structural engineering consultant in
Walnut Creek, California.
References
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