Seismic evaluation of structures with non-linear viscous fluid dampers using the dynamic capacity curve

Abstract

Earthquakes generate seismic demands that, in regions such as the Valley of Mexico, are amplified by local soil conditions, potentially exceeding the capacity of conventional structural systems. To reduce structural damage, seismic control systems have been incorporated to dissipate part of the input energy, with nonlinear fluid viscous dampers standing out for their efficiency and reliability. However, these devices introduce non-classical damping, which complicates the use of traditional analysis methods. In response, it is proposed to evaluate structures equipped with dampers by considering an equivalent inherent damping that integrates the effect of the devices, using time-history analysis and dynamic capacity curves as comparison tools. This approach seeks to simplify seismic evaluation without losing representativeness of structural behavior, facilitating the identification of efficient configurations and their application in new buildings and structural retrofitting.