Nonlinear rooftop tuned mass damper frame for the seismic retrofit of buildings

Summary Numerical studies of existing buildings demonstrate the effectiveness of nonlinear/inelastic rooftop tuned mass damper frames (NRTMDF) used as a retrofit for reducing seismic response. The technique utilizes a rooftop penthouse as a tuned mass damper with mass incorporated as the roof deck of the penthouse while targeted nonlinearity and energy dissipation are introduced through buckling restrained braces (BRBs) linking the penthouse mass to the structure below. The writers summarize numerical studies of ten existing buildings modified with a specifically tuned NRTMDF. The studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique that stems from elastic and transient inelastic period shifts enabled by the damper coupled with targeted energy dissipation in the penthouse BRBs. Numerical simulations using response nonlinear time‐history analysis techniques show that for many structures and sites, the NRTMDF decreases peak transient response and overall seismic demand of the original structure. The technique also reduces seismic demand on nonstructural elements and components, manifested as reductions in floor acceleration spectra. Energy methods show that the approach enables significant reductions in energy demand on the original structure through the complete earthquake acceleration history. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.