Application of fluid viscous dampers to steel structures located within near-fault earthquake zones

Application of viscous dampers to structures has demonstrated to remarkably enhance damping values of buildings to as high as 30%. The supplemental damping results in considerable increase in the amount of dissipated energy and substantial reductions in story displacements and inter-story drift ratios and plastic rotations. However, the effectiveness of viscous dampers applied to structures of different heights located within near fault regions is not yet fully understood.; In this research, a comprehensive study of the effectiveness of the application of viscous dampers to structures located within near-fault seismic regions (within 15 km from the fault) is performed. The effectiveness of enhanced damping as it relates to fundamental period of the structures as a function of the height of buildings is explored. The velocity related axial loads developed in columns adjacent to the viscous dampers and their phase difference relative to displacement related flexural moments is investigated. The effect of linearity versus non-linearity of dampers in resisting seismic pulse characteristic of near-fault excitations is investigated.; The results of the study are utilized to establish design procedures for implementation and design of viscous dampers to structures.