On the Optimum Placement of Dissipators in a Steel Model Building Subjected to Shaking-Table Tests

The following research presents the numerical and experimental results obtained on a reduced scale steel model of a medium-rise building structure dynamically protected with energy dissipaters. The steel-steel friction dissipates energy as the structure undergoes interstory drifts. A preliminary numerical analysis is performed to determine the best position of the friction dampers in the longitudinal frames. All the nodes of the numerical model have been assumed with the same bending stiffness. Shaking table tests have been performed, both in random vibration tests (to determine the natural periods and the dynamic characteristics of the model) and in earthquake simulation tests (to study the dynamic behaviour of the model with and without dampers). The results have been compared to those achieved during a previous experimental study based on the same model protected with only one friction damper for each longitudinal frame.