Numerical simulation of slender structures with integrated dampers

Several trends indicate that the design of structures is becoming more slender and filigree for esthetical and financial reasons. The innovative damping system offers new solutions for the contemporary construction with slender light-weight structures, higher strength materials and an increased awareness of earthquake risk. This paper describes how slender structures could be made more resistant against dynamical forces caused by wind and earthquake. On the structures dampers are mounted which are located parallel to the center line of the structure. The damping system can be implemented in different structure types like high rise buildings and bridges and in several ways along the structure. The kinematical relationships are described to explain the deformations and how to calculate them. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory in order to show the efficiency of the new damping system. In order to predict the structural damping ratio of future structures several numerical models were elaborated and the results were compared to the laboratory experiments.