Proposal for a novel technological damper system (TDS) for the retrofit of reinforced concrete frame structures

Abstract

Considering the severe earthquakes that have occurred worldwide, it has been observed that even buildings which are constructed in compliance with the seismic regulations, have suffered heavy damage or collapsed. Similarly, in earthquake on February 6, 2023, in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, many old and new structures were damaged or even collapsed. This situation has compelled researchers to focus on the most current and technological applications for earthquake protection. In the latest research topics, there has been a growing emphasis on the impact of new technological systems targeted at improving the seismic performance of structures constructed with reinforced concrete systems, given the notable occurrence of collapsed buildings with such structural systems in this earthquake. In this study, the developed Technological Damper System (TDS) was employed to enhance the earthquake performance of reinforced concrete structures. TDS is a versatile and adjustable friction-type damper. For this reason, two identical ½ scaled reinforced concrete frames were fabricated for the study, one representing a traditional structure as a reference frame (REF), and the other a frame with the TDS device. After applying quasi-static cyclic tests to the frames, the force-displacement, and force-rotation relationships, as well as energy dissipation capacities were determined for both frames. In addition, the damage conditions of the columns during the tests were assessed based on the plastic rotation limit conditions outlined in Turkish Building Earthquake Code (TBEC 2018). As a result, the frame retrofitted with the TDS device exhibited a significant increase in horizontal load-carrying capacity, ranging from 42.04% to 75%, when compared to the REF. Additionally, it was observed that energy consumption increased between 85% and 220%. The REF reached significant damage levels at 1% and 2% story drift ratios and an advanced damage state at about 3%, in accordance with TBEC 2018. Finally, the behavior of the frame retrofitted with TDS considerably improved according to REF and it reached a significant damage state at 3% story drift ratio.