A STUDY ON APPLICATION OF VISCOELASTIC DAMPERS TO A SPACE FRAME AND RESPONSE CHARACTERISTICS UNDER HORIZONTAL GROUND MOTIONS

Abstract

This paper proposes use of viscoelastic dampers to a dome structure as one of possible passive control schemes for a space frame, and clarifies the relationship between the response characteristics and seismic input. Good control performance is demonstrated via time-history analysis of a member-by-member model, using an accurate fractional derivative constitutive rule that simulates frequency-sensitivity of the dampers. For a detailed and mode-based analysis of the response characteristics, a so-called global damping model of the frame is also introduced. Effects of damping ratio and natural frequency of each mode are discussed by referring to the modal time histories and spectral responses.