Results from the institution's prior research efforts on this subject have demonstrated that supplemental damping can be an effective means for reducing forces and displacements of structures during earthquakes in both the elastic and in the inelastic ranges of structural response. The prior research effort has identified specific issues requiring additional study before wide spread utilization by the design profession is possible. This research project establishes the conditions and limits whereby equivalent viscous damping can be used to represent various damping device energy dissipation characteristics, demonstrates that supplemental damping devices can effectively reduce both elastic and inelastic response of multistory buildings, and initiates building code subcommittee consideration of appropriate provisions for utilitization of supplemental damping devices in earthquake resistant design. The results achieved in this effort in combination with previous conclusions will provide the background information necessary for acceptance by the design profession of added damping as a valuable alternative for earthquake resistant construction.
