Optimum Strength Distribution for Structures with Metallic Dampers Subjected to Seismic Loading

A key aspect of the seismic design of structures is the distribution of the lateral strength, because it governs the distribution of the cumulative plastic strain energy (i.e., the damage) among the stories. The lateral shear strength of a story i is commonly normalized by the upward weight of the building and expressed by a shear force coefficient αi. The cumulative plastic strain energy in a given story i can be normalized by the product of its lateral strength and yield displacement, and expressed by a plastic deformation ratio ηi. The distribution αi/α1 that makes ηi equal in all stories is called the optimum yield-shear force distribution. It constitutes a major aim of design; a second aim is to achieve similar ductility demand in all stories. This paper proposes a new approach for deriving the optimum yield-shear force coefficient distribution of structures without underground stories and equipped with metallic dampers. It is shown, both numerically and experimentally, that structures designed with the proposed distribution fulfil the expected response in terms of both damage distribution and inter-story drift demand. Moreover, a comparison with other distributions described in the literature serves to underscore the advantages of the proposed approach.