Response modification factor for steel structure equipped with viscous damper device

Abstract

The response modification factor (R) is a seismic design parameter that determines the nonlinear performance of building structures during strong earthquakes. Nevertheless, an extensive review of related literature indicates that the effect of viscous dampers on the response modification factor is not considered. Therefore, this study proposed the response modification factors for steel structures equipped with viscous damper devices and investigated the effect of implementing such devices in steel structures on the response modification factor. Response modification factor was formulated based on three aspects, namely, strength, ductility, and redundancy factors. A nonlinear statistical analysis was performed with finite element software using structural models with damper devices installed in different locations at various story levels. Results revealed that the response modification factors for steel structures with damper devices are higher than those for steel structures without damper devices. Considering the analytical results for all cases, an equation proposed to determine the response modification factor for steel structures with viscous dampers according to the damping coefficient.