29. EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF SEISMIC RESPONSE OF STRUCTURES WITH SUPPLEMENTAL FLUID VISCOUS DAMPERS
This 206 page report presents the results of an extensive study on fluid viscous dampers. A series of component tests with various dynamic inputs was performed to determine the mechanical characteristics and frequency dependencies of the dampers. In addition, temperature dependencies were evaluated by varying the ambient temperature of the damper during component testing. Based on these component tests, a mathematical model was developed to describe the macroscopic behavior of the damper. Earthquake simulation tests were then performed on one story and three story steel structures both with and without dampers. The addition of supplemental dampers significantly reduced the response of the structure for both interstory drift and shear forces. The experimental responses correlated well with analytical predictions.