Aims & Scope
Editorial Board
Contents & Abstracts
Submitting Your Paper
Copyright & Permissions
Contact Us
Subscriptions
search

Seismic analysis of structures with a fractional derivative model of viscoelastic dampers

Tsu-sheng Chang and Mahendra P. Singh
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA

Abstract: Viscoelastic dampers are now among some of the preferred energy dissipation devices used for passive seismic response control. To evaluate the performance of structures installed with viscoelastic dampers, different analytical models have been used to characterize their dynamic force deformation characteristics. The fractional derivative models have received favorable attention as they can capture the frequency dependence of the material stiffness and damping properties observed in the tests very well. However, accurate analytical procedures are needed to calculate the response of structures with such damper models. This paper presents a modal analysis approach, similar to that used for the analysis of linear systems, for solving the equations of motion with fractional derivative terms for arbitrary forcing functions such as those caused by earthquake induced ground motions. The uncoupled modal equations still have fractional derivatives, but can be solved by numerical or analytical procedures. Both numerical and analytical procedures are formulated. These procedures are then used to calculate the dynamic response of a multi-degree of freedom shear beam structure excited by ground motions. Numerical results demonstrating the response reducing effect of viscoelastic dampers are also presented.

Keywords: viscoelastic damper; fractional derivative; seismic response