KELVIN-TYPE FORMULATION OF MULTI-MASS SYSTEM HAVING VISCOELASTIC DAMPER AND ELASTIC / INELASTIC FRAME

(Kelvin body and its accuracy for practical modeling of linear viscoelastic dampers Part2)

Abstract

A practical analysis model to simulate the cyclic behavior of a linear viscoelastic damper is proposed. It utilizes the classical Kelvin body with adequately specified stiffness and viscosity. Part 2 paper discusses the modeling method and its accuracy using a multi-mass system having the damper, supporting member, and elastic or inelastic frame. The performance of the model is examined by comparing the analytical results with those obtained from the accurate fractional-derivative constitutive rule. Although the frequency-sensitivity of Kelvin body differs considerably from the actual sensitivity, the model is found to produce reasonably accurate results under both sinusoidal and random excitations.