| Title | Pre-Qualification Testing of Viscous Dampers for the Golden Gate Bridge Seismic Rehabilitation Project |
| Authors | Aiken, Ian D.; Kelly, James M. |
| Publication | Earthquake Engineering Research Center Report No. EERC-STI/95-03, December 1995. |
| Objectives | Evaluate the performance of a Taylor Devices viscous damper under a range of loading temperatures and displacement conditions. |
| Abstract | This report presents the results of the testing of a viscous damping device provided by Taylor Devices, Inc., to the Earthquake Engineering Research Center (EERC) of the University of California at Berkeley for the pre-qualification testing as part of the seismic rehabilitation of the Golden Gate Bridge. In all, four different viscous dampers from four different manufacturers were tested in the pre-qualification program. The test dampers were of a reduced size with respect to the full-scale dampers that will be used in the retrofit of the bridge. The reduced damper size permitted a comprehensive dynamic test program to be undertaken utilizing an existing test facility. The test dampers were required to have a displacement capacity of +/-152mm(6in) and produce a force of 445kN(100 kips) under a maximum test velocity of 50cm/s(20in/s). With respect to the full-scale dampers, these parameters correspond to scale factors of 1:6.5 for force, 1:4 for displacement, 1:3.75 for velocity. The primary goals of the test program were to: evaluate the constitutve relationships of the dampers; evaluate the energy dissipation capacity of the dampers; evaluate the wear characteristics of the dampers' sealing systems; and subject the dampers to a Maximum Credible Displacement loading. The tests were performed at ambient temperatures of 40 deg.F, 70 deg.F, and 125 deg.F. Most of the tests performed consisted of multiple-cycle constant-velocity displacement loadings at a range of amplitudes and frequencies. Sinusoidal displacement tests were also used to evaluate the energy dissipation capacity of the dampers. |
