University of Puerto Rico

Luis E Suarez

Jairo A Agudelo

Daniel A Wendichansky

A new passive control building arrangement is provided for improving the seismic response of structures. The proposed control arrangement was incorporated to a 1/20 scale model of a steel structure. The SAP2000 software program was used to develop an analytical model of the constructed scale model. After using a series of experimental data to calibrate the analytical model, valuable information of the dynamic properties of the arrangement was obtained. Different configurations with distinct parameters of the control arrangement were analyzed in the program to evaluate the variables that affect the dynamic properties of the model. It was determined that the geometric configuration of the arrangement and the spring stiffness value of a spring used in the arrangement affect considerably the dynamic properties. Simulated earthquake tests were performed in two proposed alternatives of the control arrangement to evaluate their effectiveness in improving the seismic response of the scale model. It was observed that the control arrangement can effectively reduce the accelerations and base reactions of the model.

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Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

Luis E Suarez