3-D SHAKE TABLE TESTS ON FULL-SCALE 5-STORY STEEL BUILDING WITH VISCOUS DAMPERS

Abstract

Realistic 3D-shake table tests using E-Defense were conducted for full-scale 5-story building specimens with/without dampers to evaluate seismic performance, using ground motions of scales ranging from minor to catastrophic levels. The building was tested repeatedly, inserting and replacing each of 4 damper types. This paper focuses on the second test conducted with nonlinear viscous dampers. It discusses damper and building specimen, testing and table control methods, validations of test results, various characteristics and control effects of the viscous dampers.