Numerical evaluation of an innovative hybrid seismic control system with amplified energy dissipation

Abstract

Seismic protection is vital for mitigating structural damage and enhancing resilience. We propose a novel hybrid energy dissipation system combining viscous and magnetorheological dampers with a spring mechanism and mechanical lever arms. These lever arms amplify drift and velocity, boosting energy dissipation efficiency while reducing the size or number of dampers needed. The system's performance was evaluated through numerical analysis on two prototype structures: a seven-story linear building under harmonic excitation and a three-story nonlinear building under seismic loading. Analyses included passive-on and semi-active modes with a simple adaptive control algorithm. The system significantly reduced displacements, accelerations, and residual deformations. For example, displacements in the seven-story building decreased by up to 83 % under harmonic loading, while the three-story building saw interstory drift reductions of 30 % in passive-on mode and 11 % in semi-active mode. These findings demonstrate the system's potential to enhance seismic resilience, offering a versatile solution for earthquake-resistant design and retrofitting.