Passive damping devices are mostly preferred owing to their relatively lower
cost, low maintenance, and stability over a wide range of frequencies during
seismic events. Currently, these devices with temperature in-sensitive
viscoelastic material are being explored. The paper aims to develop a prototype
piston-cylinder based passive damper with silicone rubber particles and
characterize it with varied amplitude and frequency of sinusoidal input. The
device Silicone Rubber Particle Packed Damper, so developed, was then
implemented in the benchmark building for seismic response control. Silicone
rubber particles with lower hardness were produced through compressed
molding technology to improve the damping efficiency of the device. The device
was later converted to an Air Damping Device by removing silicone rubber
particles for a natural comparison of efficacy. Hysteresis curves of devices,
elliptical in shape, obtained through characterization were mathematically
modelled using the Kelvin-Voigt model, and parameters were identified using
multivariable linear regression to implement them with the benchmark building.
Uncontrolled and controlled responses of benchmark building fitted with, both,
damping devices were determined under strong motion (El Centro, Hachinohe)
and pulse-type (Kobe, Northridge) seismic excitations. Seismic response
parameters; peak displacement, peak interstorey drift, peak acceleration, and
peak damper force was estimated. Each seismic response parameter yields
substantial reduction for controlled benchmark building with Silicone Rubber
Particle Packed Damper. The efficacy of damping devices was established by
Performance Indices in terms of peak interstorey ratio, level acceleration, base
shear, and control force. Though both passive damping devices were found
effective in seismic response control of benchmark building, Silicone Rubber
Particle Packed Damper outperforms Air Damping Device. The developed
prototype damping devices are a low cost and easy to maintain.
