OPTIMAL PLACEMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL DAMPERS IN A STRUCTURAL SYSTEM

Abstract

With the increase in the seismicity of the region, as indicated by the upward increment in the zone factor by the current code of practice, alarming number of structures fall into the category of seismically deficient structures. Seismic retrofitting, if economical, for such structures provides the plausible solution to their seismic safety problem. One of the seismic retrofitting scheme which is gaining popularity now a days is provision of energy dissipation mechanism in a structure. This energy dissipation is achieved by providing external energy dissipation devices known as supplemental dampers. These dampers dissipates the input energy and reduces the demand, on the structural members. However, noting that excessive damping does not reduce the response beyond certain value and effectiveness of dampers depends upon the location in which they are installed in the structure, an attempt has been made to place available number of dampers in the optimal locations to get response reduction. Moreover, effects of soil-structure interaction on the response of the system and hence on the damper locations are studied.