Experimental and analytical investigation of seismic retrofit of structures with supplemental damping : Part.1 - Fluid viscous damping devices

This report, the first in a series, presents the evaluation of fluid viscous dampers used as additional braces in reinforced concrete frame structures. This is part of a larger experimental investigation of different damping devices being carried out at the University at Buffalo. A series of shaking table tests of a 1:3 scale reinforced concrete frame incorporating a variety of damping devices were performed after the frame was damaged by prior severe (simulated) earthquakes. An analytical platform fro evaluation of structures integrating such devices was developed and incorporated in IDARC Version 3.2. The experimental and analytical study shows that the dampers can reduce inelastic deformation demands and, moreover, reduce the damage, quantified by an index monitoring permanent deformations.