Ultimate Response of Viscoelastic-plastic Damping Systems for Tall Buildings

The viscoelastic coupling damper (VCD) was developed to provide supplemental distributed damping to all modes of vibration and provide a multi-hazard design solution for tall buildings. The VCD system consists of viscoelastic damper panels that are bolted to steel beams, cast in the concrete structure. In seismic regions, ductile shear links are incorporated in the VCD system. During large earthquakes, the VCD exhibits a viscoelastic-plastic response as the steel links yield, limiting the forces imposed on the structure. Full-scale specimens were designed and tested to validate the ultimate response of the VCD links fabricated with conventional North American grades of steel. Numerous design details were also investigated to maximize the deformation capacity of the steel links. The experimental program showed that the VCD links are able to achieve more than the required inelastic link rotation while developing values of overstrength that are similar to those achieved by typical shear links.M.A.S