| This dissertation focuses on the development and validation of control systems that can effectively reduce seismic responses due to torsional coupling in asymmetric building structures. Due to their attractive characteristics for seismic response control, semiactive control systems using magnetorheological (MR) dampers are specifically examined in the numerical and experimental studies.; To experimentally verify the applicability of the proposed semiactive control system to torsionally coupled responses of an asymmetric building, laboratory studies are conducted using a 2-story experimental building model with asymmetric column distribution, and the performance is evaluated through shaking table testing.; The efficacy of the proposed control system when applied to numerical models of full scale irregular buildings is also discussed. Two full scale buildings, a 9-story building with an asymmetric structural plan, and an L-shaped, 8-story building with additional vertical irregularity due to setbacks, are considered in these studies.; Through the research presented herein, it is verified that the controlled performance of the proposed semiactive control system using MR dampers is significantly better than that of passive control systems and as good as an ideal active control system. |
