1. Abstract for M.Sc. Structural Engineering in Mazandaran University
Experimental Analysis on Steel Frames Equipped with Friction Damper Devices
Abstract:
Conventional buildings are designed to dissipate the input energy in plastic deformation zone,
however a more appealing approach is to add energy dissipation devices to the buildings to limit
the hysteretic behavior to special detailed regions and to avoid inelastic deformations in primary
structural elements. In this experimental study, the behaviour of various steel frame
configurations with friction damper devices are analysed to investigate the feasibility of applying
passive energy devices in structures as a low cost solution for seismic retrofit in Iran.
A single-bay, one-story concentrically diagonal braced still frame (180 cm × 90 cm) with a
friction damper device was fabricated and in an innovative experimental setup the modal
damping ratios for different values of slip loads were determined using Logarithmic Decrement
Analysis and Moving Block Analysis as different methods in time and frequency domains while
the slip loads varied between the tests to optimize the performance of the friction device. In
addition; a pushover test was conducted on the optimized model to determine its load capacity,
overstrength, ductility and reduction factor. By increasing the equivalent damping ratio and
localizing the damage in the friction braced system, the addition of friction damper devices can
be applied for enhanced seismic performance.

2. Figure 1: Friction Damper and its Components
Figure 2: Friction Damper, Slide View

3. Figure 3: Test Setup, Free Vibration for Damping and Natural Frequency
Analysis
Figure 3: Pushover Test, Steel Frame with Friction Damper