Numerical and experimental validation of Passive Direction and Displacement Dependent (D3) viscous damping device

This paper outlines the concept, development and experimental validations of a new and innovative passive Direction and Displacement Dependent (D3) viscous damping device. The new passive D3 viscous device can provide viscous damping in any individual or multiple quadrants of the force-displacement response. Experimental validation of a prototype device is undertaken using an MTS810 hydraulic test machine. The results provide the design approach, device characterization and validation for this novel device design. The effectiveness of both a 2-4 configuration of a D3 viscous damping device, (providing damping in only quadrants 2 and 4 of the force-displacement response plot), and a 1-3 configuration of D3 viscous damper devices are compared with the performance of a typical viscous damper. An experimental study of a 1/2 scale two story steel frame building with passive 2-4 configuration of D3 dampers is subjected to shake table testing and the seismic performance of the supplemental damping system is assessed. The overall results show that the 2-4 D3 viscous damper can simultaneously reduce displacement response base shear force and acceleration and is therefore a robust means to mitigate the risk of damage to the structure, foundation and contents for either new designs or retrofit