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Seismic Applications
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32. Application of Fluid Viscous Dampers to Earthquake Design

This article summarizes the extensive viscous dampers investigation performed by NCEER at State University of New York, Buffalo Campus. This included computer modeling of both the dampers and complete isolated systems, along with shake table testing and correlation of results. The article also describes a very large damper projects; dampers + base isolation for a set of five hospital buildings near San Bernardino, CA.
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31. Study of Seismic Isolation Systems for Computer Floors

This report describes the development and testing of a computer floor seismic isolation systems which uses existing devices developed for the seismic isolation of buildings and shock isolation of military equipment. A computer floor system with raised floor and a generic slender equipment cabinet was constructed. It was isolated by spherically shaped sliding bearings and was highly damped either by utilizing high friction in the bearings or by installing fluid viscous dampers. The spherically shaped bearings provided the simplest means of achieving long period in the isolation system under low gravity load. The isolation system prevented rocking of the cabinet on top of the isolated floor and substantially reduced its acceleration response in comparison to that of a conventional computer floor. An analytical study was also conducted in order to extend the results to a range of parameters which could not be tested.
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30. Experimental and Analytical Study of a System Consisting of Sliding Bearings and Fluid Restoring Force/Damping Devices

This report describes an experimental study of the behavior of a bridge seismic sliding isolation system consisting of flat sliding bearings and fluid restoring force/damping devices. Earthquake simulator tests were performed on a model bridge structure both with isolators and without. The experimental results demonstrate a marked increase of the capacity of the isolated bridge to withstand earthquake forces. Analytical techniques are used to predict the dynamic response of the system and the obtained results are in very good agreement with the experimental results.
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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.
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27. University at Buffalo – Taisei Corporation Research Project on Bridge Seismic Isolation Systems

This paper describes the first part of a project to produce a class of passive sliding seismic isolation systems for bridges. This includes experimental verification of the systems by large scale shake table testing, analytical techniques for interpretation of the experimental results, and design procedures for sliding bridge isolation systems. A quarter length scale bridge model was tested on a shake table. Restoring force was provided by various means. First, spherically shaped sliding bearings (known as FPS bearings) were used to provide restoring and frictional forces within a compact unit. Next, flat sliding bearings were combined with various devices placed between the deck and the pier to provide restoring force and additional energy dissipation capacity. These devices were in the form of: a) arc-shaped rubber elements between a moving central rod and a cylindrical housing, b) wire rope springs, c) fluid spring-damper devices and d) fluid viscous dampers.
Technical Brief

25. Test Methodology and Procedures for Fluid Viscous Dampers Used in Structures to Dissipate Seismic Energy

Taylor Devices, Inc. has manufactured damping devices since 1955. Until 1990 most applications were military, using dampers to attenuate weapons effects. Until recently, information on these applications and the associated damper designs has not been public due to security restrictions. Most of these restrictions have now been relaxed and much of this damping technology is now available to the structural engineering community. Taylor Devices can now provide compact fluid viscous dampers in the 100 kip to 2,000 kip output range that greatly reduces earthquake response of structures. This paper describes how the military has been testing shock mitigation dampers for many years and how this type of testing can apply to the large dampers required for seismic protection of structures.
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23. Semi-Active Fluid Viscous Dampers for Seismic Response Control

The addition of passive damping to a structure greatly increases its earthquake resistance. It is possible to get further increase through an active or semi-active control system for the dampers. Semi-active damping is preferred due to low external power requirements and fail-safe operation. This paper describes the history of the successful use of semi-active fluidic control devices in military applications and how this technology has been adapted to earthquake hazard mitigation. Testing of a semi-active continuously adjustable damping device through fluid orificing is described. Mathematical models of the behavior of the device are also presented.

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