Response Simulation of Aseismic Retrofit for a Reinforced Concrete Historic Building Structure Using a Variable Friction Damper

Abstract

AbstractFor the preservation of historic architecture, historic building structures in areas prone to seismic excitations should have sufficient aseismic performance. A useful approach for enhancing the aseismic performance of historic buildings is aseismic retrofitting, where energy dissipation elements, such as frictional devices, are installed. However, for conventional friction dampers (FDs), an increase in damper force increases the story shear force and response acceleration under earthquakes. The authors previously developed a passive variable friction damper (VFD) that produces a decreased frictional force when the device displacement exceeds a predetermined value. In the present study, a time history response simulation was conducted using a nonlinear analytical model assuming a historic building made of a reinforced concrete structure retrofitted by the VFD subjected to earthquakes. The seismic responses were compared to those obtained with the FD. The results show that the VFD reduced the peak response story shear force and acceleration compared with those for the FD.KeywordsHistoric architectureAseismic performancePassive variable friction damperFrictional forceReinforced concrete structureSeismic response