Characterization of Multi-Phase Performance-Based Passive Control Systems

Abstract

Typical passive control devices have inherent strengths and weaknesses as seismic protection systems. A Multi-phase Passive Control System (MPCS) combines two types of passive control devices in a system in order to offset the weaknesses of each system individually and to optimize structural performance. The performance-based nature of a MPCS in structural design allows the structure to respond effectively to varying levels of lateral loading. Previous work indicates the effectiveness of combining passive control devices but the fundamental understanding of the system is lacking. A single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) non-linear dynamic study was performed in order to more clearly define multi-phase behavior and identify important parameters affecting response. Seismic hazard, system arrangement, system strength, system components, and material properties were all varied in order to fundamentally understand which parameters had significant effects on response. An incremental dynamic analysis was performed on the SDOF systems for a suite of scaled strong ground motions representing an array of site characteristics. Important response quantities included total acceleration, base shear, element ductility demand, and drift. Compared to the baseline systems, overall structural performance showed improved behavior with multi-phase configurations. The results of this study offer significant insight towards future work involving MPCS.