Experimental characterization and numerical modeling of a frequency-independent viscoelastic damper

Abstract

Conventional viscoelastic dampers (VED) exhibit significant frequency dependency, leading to variability in stiffness and damping properties at different excitation frequencies, which introduces uncertainties in their design and application in practical engineering. This study addresses this issue by developing a frequency-independent VED through comprehensive experimental characterization and numerical modeling. Four full-scale VEDs were designed and manufactured to explore its mechanical behavior. Cyclic loading tests were carried out under various loading conditions, including different strain amplitudes, loading frequencies, ambient temperatures, and low-cycle fatigue tests. Then, a frequency-independent mechanical model is proposed by combining an energy dissipation element with a nonlinear stiffness element in parallel. Finally, nonlinear dynamic time-history analyses were conducted on a steel frame with and without the VEDs at various ambient temperatures. The experimental results show that the developed VEDs maintain consistent hysteretic behavior across a range of frequencies, exhibit high mechanical stability under varying strain amplitudes and temperatures, and possess excellent recoverability after low-cycle fatigue test. The frequency-independent mechanical model developed in this study accurately simulates the hysteretic response of the developed VEDs, validating its applicability through experimental data. Seismic response analyses demonstrate considerable mitigations in inter-story drift ratios and residual inter-story drift ratios compared to the frame without dampers. These findings highlight the reliability and effectiveness of frequency-independent VEDs in structural vibration control, offering a promising solution for seismic performance enhancement.