An Energy-Based Approach to the Generalized Optimal Locations of Viscous Dampers in Two-Way Asymmetrical Buildings

Abstract

This paper proposes a simple approach to the generalized optimal locations of linear viscous dampers in elastic two-way asymmetrical buildings under bi-directional ground excitations. The control target used in this optimization process is to maximize the average dissipation rate of the overall strain energy of the two-way asymmetrical building under the ground excitation of two bi-directional unit impulses. The proposed control target, referred to as the smeared damping ratio, is an intrinsic property of the building system. Two advantages of the proposed approach appeal to engineering practice. First, the proposed approach does not require a complicated optimization algorithm. Second, due to the employment of an intrinsic property rather than a certain response parameter as the target performance index, the optimal damper locations resulting from the proposed approach are generalized, which are independent on the characteristics of input ground motions.