Seismic and resilient assessment on moment resisting frames with novel self-centering viscous dampers

Abstract

A new type of self-centering viscous dampers (SCVDs) had been developed by the authors to create low-damage structures [1]. Then, the seismic and resilient performance of steel frames equipped with SCVDs were still mysteries waiting for being discovered. So, performance was analyzed among the five systems which were moment resisting, buckling restrained brace (BRB), self-centering (SC), viscous damper (VD), and SCVD frames. The 3- and 6- story frames with the aforementioned systems were subjected to 20 earthquake records of various ground types using nonlinear response history analysis. In comparison to the MRF system, the SCVD system exhibited a significant improvement. The maximum and residual story drift ratios were reduced by 90.27% and 97.78%, respectively. However, there was an increase in the maximum base shears and overturning moments of the SCVD system by 120.65% and 150.31%, respectively. Overall, MRFs equipped with SCVDs or VD parts possess better seismic and resilient performance with higher certainty than the other systems, in special, the total growth rate of the VD system can be reduced by 22.94% comprehensively. Furthermore, addition of energy dissipation capabilities is more effective in decreasing responses with higher certainty than stiffness or self-centering capabilities of the braces.