Evaluation of the seismic performance of a multi-coil MR damper using non-linear method

Abstract

Magnetorheological dampers (MR) have the ability to provide high damping and subsequent energy dissipation which has a potential application in mitigation of natural hazard. These features of advanced damping technology achieved from the interaction between magnetic field induced MR fluid and the rod of piston. In this paper, hybrid simulation is evaluated for a Reinforced Concrete (RC) frame with MR Damper under various configuration subjected to dynamic loading is numerically investigated using OpenSees framework and validated experimentally. In OpenSees framework Bouc Wen Material parameters were incorporated by the experimental results of MR Damper. The response of the three RC frames, both numerically and the experimentally having diagonally attached MR damper at 0 A current, 3 A current and without MR damper, were compared for El-Centro excitation. In comparison of results, the specimen with MR Damper at 3 A current displays better performance. Maximum of 23.02 % displacement reduction with 38.35 % frame force increment can be achieved when compared with bare frame. This validation proves the hybrid simulation system has successfully predicted the seismic response of the test specimen.