Analysis and comparison of two different configurations of external dissipative systems

This paper deals with the seismic protection of existing buildings, especially r.c. frame ones, by means of external passive dissipative systems. These type of systems provide larger flexibility in controlling the structural behavior, and some feasibility advantages, but their efficiency in terms of performance still need to be proven. In particular, this study analyzes and compares the performance of two external solutions using linear fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) for the seismic upgrading of an existing benchmark structure, the Van Nuys building. The first arrangement is a recent solution, known as "Dissipative Tower", which exploits the rocking motion of a steel truss hinged at the foundation level for the dampers activation; the second one consists in coupling the building with an external stiff contrasting structure, where the dampers are located horizontally at the storey level. First, a state space formulation of the problem, based on the assumption of linear elastic behavior for both the existing frame and the external dissipative structures, is presented in general terms. The proposed formulation, suitable for both the external arrangements, allows to evaluate the influence of the dissipative solutions on the system modal properties. Successively, the performance of the two proposed external passive structures, is evaluated and compared with that of the bare existing frame, by considering important engineering demand parameters (EDPs) such as interstorey drifts, absolute accelerations and shear actions resisted by the frame and by external systems.