The Earthquake Engineering Online Archive

On the analysis of structures with energy dissipating restraints

Inaudi, Jose A.; Nims, Douglas K.; Kelly, James M.

UCB/EERC-93/13, Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley, 1993-12, 128 pages (530/I62/1994)

This report deals with some aspects of the dynamics of structures containing frictional energy dissipating devices called Energy Dissipating Restraints (EDRs). These devices have been recently proposed as supplemental elements for improving the performance of structures subjected to earthquakes. Tools for modeling the constitutive relations of this device are discussed, the free vibration response of structures containing EDR dampers is computed, and linearization techniques are applied to estimate the response of structures with EDR dampers subjected to transient and random excitations. The report also includes a verification of the proposed mathematical models for the EDR. The response of a laboratory test structure with EDR dampers, subjected to simulated ground motion on a shake table, is estimated using computer simulation and compared with the recorded response obtained in the experimental program. The main products of this investigation are the validation of the mathematical models proposed for the analysis of structures incorporating EDR dampers, and a set of tools for the analysis and design of these structures.

Available online: http://nisee.berkeley.edu/documents/EERC/EERC-93-13.pdf (7 MB)