Application of Viscous Dampers in Seismic Rehabilitation of Steel Moment Resisting Frames

In structural seismic rehabilitation, the structural capacity spectrum curve can be enhanced by increasing the stiffness and strength of the structures and also the application of the energy dissipation systems such as dampers can decrease the structural demand spectrum curve. Dampers are basically used to mitigate the structural response and decrease the damages to the main structural elements under severe earthquakes through energy dissipation. At the present paper, it is aimed to evaluate the seismic behavior of two conventional steel moment resisting frames having 4, 8 stories incorporating seismic strength imperfection equipped with viscous dampers. OpenSees and nonlinear time-history analysis incorporating seven seismic records have been used to define the frame response. The results revealed that the seismic response of rehabilitated frames has been considerably improved. Where, the maximum roof displacement, the maximum story drift, the maximum floor acceleration and shears have been declined in damper equipped frames and the seismic performance of the most rehabilitated frame elements under an earthquake having return period of 475 years has been upgraded to performance level of life-safety.