Assessment and Retrofitting of R.C. Structures with Fluid Viscous Dampers Using Pushover Analysis

Elhamed, Ayman Abd-; Ali, Ahmed H.; Hanna, Nagy Fouad; Osman, Ayman Hassan

doi:10.21608/erj.2025.359102.1202

Assessment and Retrofitting of R.C. Structures with Fluid Viscous Dampers Using Pushover Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Physics and Engineering Mathematics Department, Faculty of Engineering-Mattaria, Helwan University

² Civil Engineering - Mataria Engineering - Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

³ Structural Analysis - Civil Engineering - Mataria Engineering - Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt

⁴ Civil Engineering - Mataria Engineering - Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.

10.21608/erj.2025.359102.1202

Abstract

Evaluating the seismic performance of existing structures and retrofit techniques is crucial for verifying a building's ability to resist seismic activities. This study focuses on assessing the efficiency in seismic response of structures retrofitted with Fluid Viscous Dampers (FVDs) post-earthquakes. Two key scenarios are assumed regarding the building model. One scenario examines the building model devoid of dampers (uncontrolled building model). The second scenario examines the building model retrofitted with dampers (controlled building model). A symmetrical 15-story RC frame building that has been equipped with FVDs is evaluated using a nonlinear static analysis. The analysis, design, and evaluation are conducted using the ETABS software, which employs response spectrum curves based on Peak Ground Accelerations (PGA) with different intensities in accordance with European code standards. The numerical results for the uncontrolled and controlled building models with FVDs dispersed at different locations and heights are compared and analyzed. The use of FVDs reduces earthquake-induced roof displacement. In comparison to the uncontrolled structure, this reduction can be as much as 53.2% lower in both longitudinal and transverse directions. The provided results clearly illustrate that when dampers are used, the structures' plastic hinges remain in the immediate occupancy domain; however, when dampers are not used, the plastic hinges reach life safety and then collapse the border. Moreover, the results show that the number and location of dampers significantly influence the structural response. On the other hand, many dampers do not always lead to the best benefit in terms of cost and energy dissipation.

Keywords