An optimization study for viscous dampers between adjacent buildings

This paper investigates optimum viscous damper capacity and number for prevention of one-sided structural pounding between two adjacent buildings under earthquake motion. The buildings assumed as shear-type structures are modeled by using lumped mass-stiffness technique. Impact forces due to pounding is simulated by nonlinear elastic spring approximation called Hertz model. A parametric study is conducted by varying storey number and stiffness of buildings in addition to the capacity of the viscous dampers. Pounding force and supplemental damping ratio for each case are presented based upon newly defined nondimensional natural frequency parameter ratio. An optimization procedure for determination of viscous damper capacity is developed based on modified supplemental damping ratio equation. Results are compared with each other to clarify the effect of variation in building parameters on pounding forces and viscous damper capacity. •Supplemental damping ratio formulation is modified for adjacent buildings connected by dampers.•An optimization algorithm is employed to determine capacity and location of dampers.•Nondimensional natural frequency parameter is developed for multi-storey buildings.•A comparative study is presented on linear and nonlinear viscous dampers.