Efficient modeling of a structure with friction dampers

This study investigated the efficient modeling of a framed structure to be used for optimal distribution of friction dampers using genetic algorithm.As huge amount of nonlinear time history analysis of the structure was involved in the GA procedure, the model structure was transformed into a simplified 15 degrees of freedom system with similar dynamic characteristics.The range of friction damping effective in reducing earthquake response of the model structure was determined as a preliminary study for optimal damper distribution using an equivalent single degree of freedom system.Then the original model structure was transformed into equivalent multi-degrees of freedom system with one degree of freedom in each story to reduce the computation time required for nonlinear dynamic time history analyses.The pushover and the nonlinear dynamic analysis results of the ESDOF system and the original model structure show that the simplified modeling technique is valid.