Retrofit for Existing Buildings with Seismic Control of Structures

Abstract

This chapter describes the present status of research on seismic structural response control and its application in China, and introduces some research results from the work of others in these fields including seismic isolation systems, energy dissipation systems, tuned mass damper (TMD) passive control systems, and active and hybrid control systems. Future development of seismic structural response control is discussed as well. Since the intensity of earthquakes is always uncertain, ground motion and structural response are complicated, and the requirements for modem structures are more and more strict. China is very frequently subjected to severe earthquakes every year and may have several very strong earthquakes in coming years depending on seismic prediction. Traditional earthquake-resistant structure systems and design methods have resulted in many problems in application. The requirements for modem structures are stricter because the intensity of earthquakes is always uncertain, ground motion and structural response are complicated. Therefore, China has paid more attention to some potential new systems for earthquake-resistant structures: base isolation, energy dissipation and structural control system. These new systems seem safer, more effective, simpler, and more economical.