Response of Nonstructural Components in Structures with Damping Systems

An analytical study of buildings without and with seismic damping systems was conducted to investigate the dynamic response of secondary systems. The buildings were represented by steel frames designed by the procedures described in the 2000 NEHRP Recommended Provisions. Nonlinear response analyses were performed for the undamped frames and the damped frames equipped with different energy dissipation systems and for far-field, near-field, and soft-soil earthquake histories. The study shows that significant benefits may be provided by viscous damping systems in terms of reduced floor spectral accelerations and floor absolute velocities.