Reduction of earthquake response of plane frame buildings by viscoelastic dampers

This paper is focused on the viscoelastic dampers to be used as energy-absorbing devices in buildings. Their advantages and disadvantages as well as their application on three model structures have been described. The analytical studies of the model structures exhibiting the structural response reduction due to these viscoelastic devices are presented. In order to exhibit the benefits of viscoelastic dampers, a nonlinear time history analysis is carried out for all case studies: (a) a 7-storey steel frame, (b) a 10-storey reinforced concrete frame, and (c) a 20-storey reinforced concrete frame. The top storey relative displacements as well as the top storey absolute accelerations and also the base shear values obtained indicate that these viscoelastic dampers when incorporated into the super-structure behave like a break pedal and reduce the earthquake response significantly in proportion to the amount of damping supplied in these devices.