Development, Analysis and Testing of a Hybrid Passive Control Device for Seismic Protection of Framed Structures

A new seismic protection strategy called the hybrid passive control device (HPCD) has been developed which combines typical passive energy dissipation devices. It consists of a high damping rubber (HDR) sandwich damper in series with a buckling restrained brace (BRB). The HPCD provides energy dissipation at small deformations without significantly decreasing the structural period. The significant energy dissipation capacity of a BRB is provided for significant seismic events in the second phase. The transition between these two phases consists of an increasing stiffness as the device transitions from rubber damper to BRB. The HPCD reduces deformations, forces and accelerations from seismic events. The hyperelastic or stiffening effect also prevents resonant build-up and aids in collapse prevention due to p-delta effects.

The first phase of this work included characterization of high damping rubber compounds and analytical modeling of the HPCD concept. Experimental testing was completed to measure both the static and dynamic material properties of six different rubber compounds. The two most promising rubber compounds were selected for possible inclusion in the device. Analytical models of these selected materials were developed for nonlinear solid finite element analysis. The most promising configuration of the device was selected from several options. The selected configuration was analyzed using the commercial finite element program ABAQUS. These models were used to confirm the validity of the theoretical behavior of the device. Additionally these tests were used to determine which of the rubber compounds performed best.

Experimental testing of a half-scale HPCD specimen was carried out in the Structures and Materials Research Laboratory at Virginia Tech. The prototype was tested under cyclic and static loads. The experimental tests confirmed the potential of the hybrid device while highlighting minor issues with the design of the prototype. The final component in the research was an analytical study using hybrid devices in a 9-story steel moment frame structure. The devices were found to provide improved response over a special steel moment frame and a moment frame combined with a buckling restrained brace frame.