Comparative study of the damage cost of reinforced concrete buildings with and without nonlinear viscous dampers subjected to seismic loading

In an optimal seismic design context, the seismic demand is characterized by hazard curves that can be obtained by simulation techniques, and the capacity of the structure is established by the designer following a predefined seismic code. The capacity of structures is generally characterized by the seismic design coefficient. Furthermore, the structure damage is evaluated based on certain well-defined damage indicators (e.g., displacement ductility). Thus based on the damage indicator, it is possible to estimate the cost of the associated losses. Furthermore, it is noted that the quantification of the damage costs associated with reinforced concrete (RC) structures with and without nonlinear viscous dampers under seismic loading is very scarce in the relevant literature. In this study, damage cost expressions, similar to those employed in the optimal seismic design criterion, were used to quantify and compare the damage cost on RC buildings with and without viscous dampers located in seismic-prone areas of Mexico. For the analysis, three RC buildings were designed according to Mexican seismic design regulations. The buildings under study were subjected to seismic actions characterized by actual seismic records, scaled according to simulated maximum ground motion accelerations. The damage to the structures caused by seismic action is calculated by means of a damage factor that is a function of displacement ductility demand. The cost of damage to the considered structures was estimated based on cost expressions that are a function of the damage factor. The analyses results indicate that the use of viscous dampers in concrete buildings subjected to seismic action can considerably reduce the associated damage costs with respect to buildings without such a damping system.

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