Base‐isolated structures with selective controlled semi‐active friction dampers

Abstract

AbstractThis paper investigates effectiveness of selective control strategy in hybrid base isolation systems including isolators and semi‐active variable friction (VF) dampers. According the selective control strategy, VF dampers are activated just if the displacement at the isolators exceeds the threshold value. The slip‐force control is based on the values of floors' accelerations and velocities. By controlling the slip‐force magnitude in the VF dampers, effective energy dissipation can be achieved in a seismic event. Activation of dampers according to the selective control strategy allows high‐energy dissipation by minimum energy required for adjusting the slip‐force. Performance of a multi‐storey frame with a base isolation system and VF dampers under various earthquake records was obtained numerically using originally developed MATLAB routines. Seismic response of the analysed structure with the selective controlled system was compared with that when the VF dampers were active during the whole earthquake. It is shown that adjustment of the slip‐force in a selective manner allows additional reductions in peak displacements and accelerations of the structure. The results also demonstrate that this control strategy yields reduction of the base displacement without increasing the peak base shear forces. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.