Shaking table tests and dynamic reliability analysis for aseismic structures with viscous dampers

Shaking table tests were conducted on an aseismic structure model with and without viscous dampers. In tests, random ground motion samples generated by a physical stochastic ground motion model were taken as table inputs. Then reliability assessments were performed, respectively for test structure model with control and that without control using the probability density evolution method and the principle of the equivalent extreme value events. Test results revealed that both mean value and standard deviation of inter-story drift responses of the test structure model with dampers are significantly smaller than those in the uncontrolled cases; generally, RMS values of story shear forces in the controlled cases are obviously smaller than those in the uncontrolled cases; the variability of dynamic responses of the test structure model with dampers subjected to random earthquake ground motions is significant, the vibration control effects of viscous dampers are different when the test structure model is under inputs of various ground motion samples. Dynamic reliability analysis of the controlled structure model indicated that the aseismic reliability of its each story and that of the whole system are obviously enhanced compared with those in uncontrolled cases. © 2018, Editorial Office of Journal of Vibration and Shock. All right reserved.